In a bold move reminiscent of Donald Trump, the long-running animated series “South Park” is switching up its title for the upcoming 29th season to “South America.” This change, announced by creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, is a playful jab at the U.S. president’s penchant for renaming geographical features and locations to emphasize America.
The decision to rename the show to “SOUTH AMERICA” was inspired by the actions of tech giants Apple and Google, according to Parker and Stone. The duo also made a pointed reference to their parent company Paramount, likening the situation to a “Skydance Capitulation.” This move carries extra significance due to Paramount’s ownership by David Ellison, who has denied any affiliation with Trump but is currently embroiled in legal battles over alleged dealings with the former president.
Trump’s trend of renaming landmarks with an American twist began during his second term, with efforts to rebrand the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario as Lake America. While some entities have resisted the changes, Apple and Google have come under fire for accommodating Trump’s directives on their mapping platforms.
The timing of “South America’s” name change coincided with Trump’s suggestion of renaming New Mexico to New America in a recent social media post. Whether this alteration is a passing joke or a theme that will persist throughout the new season remains to be seen, but it aligns with the show’s tradition of satirizing Trump and his administration. “South Park” has a history of pushing boundaries and ridiculing Trump, evident in its portrayals of the president in unconventional scenarios.
The series, which has been on the air since 1997, has repeatedly sparked controversy with its comedic take on current events and political figures. Notably, the show’s recent Emmy win was celebrated with a post on Instagram mocking Trump’s Emmy aspirations for “The Apprentice.” The upcoming season, now titled “South America,” is set to premiere on Comedy Central on September 16, followed by its Canadian debut on Paramount+ the following day.