In a move reminiscent of Donald Trump’s style, the long-running animated series “South Park” has decided to rebrand for its upcoming 29th season and will now be known as “South America.”
The decision to change the show’s name is a satirical jab at the U.S. president’s tendency to rename geographical locations to include “America.” The show creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, announced the change, citing inspiration from tech giants Apple and Google and thanking their parent company Paramount for their support.
This move carries extra significance due to Paramount Skydance, the show’s parent company, being embroiled in legal issues related to alleged dealings with Trump to facilitate the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Trump’s initiative to rename landmarks with an American twist started during his presidency, with efforts to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and more recently, attempting to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Despite pushback from some quarters, tech companies like Apple and Google have been criticized for embracing these changes on their maps. The decision to rename “South Park” as “South America” comes shortly after Trump hinted at renaming New Mexico to New America on social media.
Whether this rebranding is a fleeting joke or a theme for the new season remains to be seen. However, it aligns with the show’s tradition of mocking Trump and his administration. “South Park,” which has been on the air since 1997, has frequently lampooned Trump, drawing criticism from his supporters for its controversial portrayals.
The show’s creators have remained defiant, promising more Trump-themed episodes in the upcoming season. The series continues to push boundaries with its irreverent humor, earning both accolades and backlash for its unapologetic satire. The new season, now titled “South America,” is set to premiere on September 16 on Comedy Central, followed by its Canadian debut on Paramount+ the next day.