In what appears to be a nod to Donald Trump’s penchant for name changes, the long-running animated series “South Park” is shaking things up for its upcoming 29th season. The show will now go by the moniker “South America,” a move designed to satirize the U.S. president’s efforts to Americanize various geographical features.
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced the name switch, inspired by tech giants Apple and Google, who have made similar moves in the past. The tongue-in-cheek gesture is also a subtle jab at the show’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, owned by David Ellison, who has faced allegations of aligning with Trump in business matters.
Trump’s own renaming crusade began with proposals to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario to Lake America, a move that has divided opinions. While some entities have resisted the changes, Apple and Google have come under fire for complying with Trump’s directives on their maps.
The rebranding of “South Park” to “South America” coincides with Trump’s recent musings about renaming New Mexico as New America. Whether this alteration is a temporary gag or a running theme for the new season remains to be seen, but it aligns with the show’s tradition of lampooning political figures, particularly Trump.
Known for its provocative satire since its debut in 1997, “South Park” has not shied away from skewering Trump and his administration, drawing both praise and criticism for its bold humor. The upcoming season promises to continue poking fun at Trump, with the premiere set for September 16 on Comedy Central and subsequent airing on Paramount+.