In a bold move reminiscent of Donald Trump, the long-running animated series “South Park” is opting for a name change. For its upcoming 29th season, the show will be rebranded as “South America.” This decision is a satirical jab at the U.S. president’s habit of renaming geographical features to include “America.”
The show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, announced the name change, citing inspiration from tech giants Apple and Google. They humorously expressed gratitude to their parent company Paramount, adding a sardonic touch by referring to it as a “Skydance Capitulation.”
The choice of “South America” holds significance due to the ongoing legal issues involving the show’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, owned by David Ellison. Ellison, despite denying ties to Trump, is facing allegations of striking a side deal with the former president to facilitate the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Trump’s penchant for renaming landmarks to have an American association began during his presidency, with recent efforts extending to Lake Ontario, now dubbed “Lake America.” While some entities have resisted these changes, tech giants like Apple and Google have faced criticism for complying with the alterations on their maps.
The decision to rename “South Park” as “South America” coincides with Trump’s latest suggestion of renaming New Mexico to New America. Whether this change is a temporary gag or a theme for the new season remains to be seen, aligning with the show’s tradition of mocking Trump and his administration.
“South Park” has a history of pushing boundaries and provoking reactions from Trump and his supporters through its irreverent humor. The upcoming season promises more satirical takedowns, continuing the series’ tradition of lampooning political figures.
Scheduled to premiere on September 16 on Comedy Central and the following day on Paramount+ in Canada, the revamped “South America” aims to sustain its legacy of sharp, politically charged comedy.