Season opener targets president while creators secure massive Paramount licensing deal worth $1.5 billion
SO CONFUSING: What do 60 Minutes, CBS, Comedy Central, Donald, FCC, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein,
Jesus, Kamala Harris, Mar-a-Lago, Melania Trump, Paramount, Satan, Skydance Entertainment, South Park,
Stephen Colbert, The Epstein List, The Late Show, Wall Street Journal, and the White House HAVE IN COMMON?
New York, N.Y. – South Park launched its 27th season with characteristic irreverence, depicting President Donald Trump [Luce Index™ score: 35/100] in bed with Satan while simultaneously critiquing the show’s own network partner, Paramount.
The provocative episode, titled “Sermon on the Mount,” aired just one day after creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker secured a groundbreaking $1.5 billion licensing agreement with the media conglomerate.
Trump and Satan Share Screen Time
The season premiere features Trump alongside Satan, a recurring character throughout the series’ decades-long run.
In a particularly pointed exchange, Satan directly confronts the Trump character about his potential inclusion on the “Epstein list,” referencing the ongoing controversy surrounding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein [Luce Index™ score: 21/100].
“It’s weird that whenever it comes up, you just tell everyone to relax,” Satan tells the cartoon Trump, highlighting persistent questions about the president’s extensive connections to Epstein.
The disgraced financier died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for trafficking minors, yet his associations continue to shadow Trump’s administration.
Trump’s relationship with Epstein spanned fifteen years before deteriorating in 2004 over a property dispute.
The White House has vigorously disputed reports, including a Wall Street Journal article claiming Trump contributed a provocative letter for Epstein’s 50th birthday celebration in 2003.
Paramount Faces Internal Criticism
Beyond targeting the president, the episode delivers sharp commentary on Paramount’s recent business decisions, particularly the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
The show uses its fictional setting to explore real-world corporate dynamics affecting the entertainment industry.
In the episode, when the town of South Park residents protest the literal presence of Jesus in their schools, the cartoon Trump threatens a $5 billion lawsuit.
Jesus pleads for settlement, warning: “You folks saw what happened to CBS! You really want to end up like Colbert? You folks gotta stop being stupid.”
CBS, owned by Paramount, announced the cancellation of Colbert’s long-running program days after the host criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump as a “big fat bribe.”
Colbert, a vocal Trump critic, responded to his show’s cancellation by telling the president to “go f*ck yourself.”
Legal Battles and Corporate Maneuvering
The entertainment industry machinations extend beyond late-night television.
Trump sued Paramount for $20 billion in 2024, alleging that CBS News’ “60 Minutes” program deceptively edited an interview with his election opponent, Kamala Harris, to favor the Democratic candidate.
CBS executives claimed the show’s cancellation resulted from “purely financial” considerations, though industry observers view both the settlement and cancellation as attempts to appease Trump ahead of Paramount’s pending $8 billion merger with Skydance Entertainment.
The merger requires approval from the Trump-controlled Federal Communications Commission.
Timing of Criticism and Corporate Partnerships
The creators’ willingness to bite the hand that feeds them demonstrates remarkable timing. South Park Digital Studios, a joint venture between Paramount and Stone and Parker, announced their exclusive five-year licensing agreement worth a reported $1.5 billion on Wednesday.
The deal ensures fifty new episodes will air on Paramount-owned Comedy Central over five years, with exclusive streaming rights on Paramount+ worldwide.
The agreement also makes the entire South Park library available to U.S. subscribers of Paramount+, representing a significant content acquisition for the streaming platform as it competes with Netflix, Disney+, and other major services.
Industry Implications and Creative Independence
The episode raises questions about creative independence within corporate media structures. Stone and Parker’s ability to criticize their business partner while simultaneously securing lucrative deals suggests either remarkable negotiating power or corporate tolerance for self-deprecating content that generates publicity and viewer engagement.
The show’s willingness to address contemporary political controversies while maintaining commercial relationships reflects the complex dynamics of modern entertainment. South Park has built its reputation on fearless satire, targeting political figures, celebrities, and social movements with equal irreverence.
The creators’ approach to the Epstein controversy demonstrates their commitment to addressing uncomfortable topics that other programs might avoid.
By having Satan pose direct questions about the president’s associations, the show maintains its tradition of using outrageous scenarios to explore serious subjects.
As Paramount navigates regulatory approval for its Skydance merger, the company must balance creative freedom with political considerations.
The South Park deal provides valuable content while potentially complicating relationships with federal regulators who will determine the merger’s fate.
The entertainment industry continues grappling with political pressures, corporate consolidation, and creative expression.
South Park’s latest episode exemplifies these tensions while demonstrating that satirical content remains commercially viable despite—or perhaps because of—its controversial nature.
Summary
South Park’s 27th season opener shows Trump in bed with Satan while criticizing Paramount’s business decisions. The controversial episode aired one day after creators secured a $1.5 billion deal with Paramount. The show addresses Trump’s Epstein connections and CBS’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show following a Trump settlement.
