In a move reminiscent of Donald Trump, the long-running animated show “South Park” has decided to shake things up for its upcoming 29th season by adopting a new moniker: “South America.” This change, made in a satirical fashion typical of the show, is a playful jab at the U.S. president’s tendency to rename various geographical features to include “America.”
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced the name switch, citing inspiration from tech giants Apple and Google, who have also made bold moves recently. The decision to rebrand to “SOUTH AMERICA” is further emphasized with a nod to Paramount, the show’s parent company, in a statement released to the media.
The timing of this announcement carries extra weight due to the involvement of the show’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, owned by David Ellison. Despite Ellison refuting any ties to Trump, he and his father are currently facing legal action over allegations of striking a side deal with the former president to facilitate a major industry merger.
Trump’s own efforts to alter geographic names to reflect American identity began during his presidency, with initiatives like renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America amid trade disputes. More recently, Trump proposed changing Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” a move that has faced resistance from some quarters but gained traction with tech giants like Apple and Google adjusting their maps accordingly.
The rebranding of “South Park” to “South America” coincides with Trump’s suggestion of renaming New Mexico to New America, underscoring the ongoing satirical take the show has on current events. Known for pushing boundaries and poking fun at political figures, “South Park” has consistently courted controversy and drawn the ire of Trump and his supporters with its irreverent humor and sharp critiques.
As the show gears up for its 29th season premiere on Comedy Central and Paramount+, fans can expect more of the same biting humor and bold commentary that have made “South Park” a cultural touchstone since its debut in 1997.