In a move perfectly in character for the boundary-pushing animated series, “South Park” co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have delivered a mock apology to President Donald Trump, following a controversial new episode that left the White House “seething.” The deadpan response, delivered at San Diego Comic-Con, has further inflamed the administration, which has branded the long-running show “fourth-rate.”
The kerfuffle began with the premiere of “South Park’s” 27th season, titled “Sermon of the Mount,” which aired on Wednesday. The episode featured a caricature of President Trump, at one point depicted naked in bed alongside the devil, with explicit jokes made about his anatomy. The episode also reportedly took aim at the President’s recent legal battles, including a settlement with Paramount over a previous interview.
The White House quickly responded with a scathing statement from Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers. “This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention,” Rogers declared, adding, “President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history – and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.” Anonymous administration sources further told Deadline that the President was “seething over the childish attack.”
However, Parker and Stone, known for their “equal opportunity offender” philosophy and unflinching satire, met the White House’s fury with characteristic irreverence. Appearing on an Adult Animation panel at Comic-Con International on Thursday, Parker offered a simple, sarcastic, three-word retort when asked about the reaction to the episode: “We’re terribly sorry.” The remark, delivered with a mock-serious expression, drew immediate laughter and applause from the packed Hall H audience, clearly understanding the creators’ intent.
Stone further elaborated on the creative process behind the controversial episode, revealing that the final touches were still being made just three days before airtime. He also hilariously recounted a four-day debate with producers over whether to blur a particular anatomical detail. “If we put eyes on the penis, we won’t blur it,” Stone quipped, recounting his argument to maintain the show’s raw edge.
The timing of this episode is particularly notable, coming just days after Parker and Stone signed a massive $1.5 billion deal to license their extensive library and air new episodes on Paramount+. This lucrative agreement, coupled with the FCC’s recent approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger, has fueled speculation that the creators, now with immense creative and financial freedom, are pushing boundaries more than ever.
The clash between the popular animated series and the White House underscores a broader tension between political power and satirical media. While the administration attempts to dismiss the show as irrelevant, “South Park’s” ability to provoke such a strong reaction suggests its cutting commentary continues to hit a nerve, demonstrating that even a “fourth-rate” show can deliver a first-rate headache for those in power.