South Park's blistering takedown of Donald Trump’s 'tiny P*n*s’ scores 5m views

South Park season 27 launched and pleased fans who worried the show might disappear from television screens. The premiere episode broke viewership records from 1999. President Donald Trump likely feels less happy about the animated series' comeback.

The first episode, called Sermon on the Mount, attacked Trump without mercy. The show presented him as someone who files lawsuits often and bothers people for sex. It showed him dating Satan and displayed cartoon images of his naked body multiple times.

The new episode attracted 5.9 million viewers across Paramount+ and Comedy Central during its first three days. The network reported South Park achieved its highest cable audience share for a season opener since 1999. They called it the most discussed South Park episode ever on social media.

The episode made many jokes about the US President's private parts. The creators fought to keep these scenes unblurred. At Comic Con, creator Trey Parker offered a fake apology with a serious expression, saying "We're terribly sorry." He and co-creator Matt Stone explained the behind-the-scenes discussions.

They revealed their recent concerns: "Three days ago, we wondered if people would enjoy this, but we decided to include it anyway." Network executives wanted to blur certain parts. The creators refused this request.

These comments related to a fake public service announcement after the episode. The scene showed an AI-created version of President Trump walking naked through a desert. When the President falls down, his private part speaks with googly eyes attached. It says: "I'm Donald J. Trump and I support this message." A narrator then states: "Trump! His private part is very small, but his love for us is big."

The production team agreed to add googly eyes to make it "a character." During an earlier scene with Satan and Trump together intimately, the president shows himself to the Devil and says: "Come on, Satan, you know you want this." The Devil responds: "I cannot see anything because it's too small."

After the episode aired, fans felt shocked and entertained. Many wondered how the sensitive President might respond to the show.

South Park often shows Satan dating problematic men throughout its history. This Trump storyline continues that pattern from earlier seasons.

In the South Park movie "Bigger, Longer and Uncut," Satan dated Saddam Hussein before their relationship ended dramatically. Co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker might be comparing the former Iraqi leader to President Trump. They drew both characters using similar animation styles.

The similarities between these figures remain open for viewers to decide themselves.

Fans reacted strongly on social media. @Pookerella wrote on X: "OMG South Park attacked Trump directly! The ending is incredible." @BlackMagicSama added: "If you haven't seen the new #SouthPark... watch the new South Park. Maybe their best episode ever." @TylerandAndrei commented: "They told us what we all know. They are definitely going to try and give #SouthPark the Colbert treatment." @DowntownHWV summarized it simply: "Trump is going to lose his mind."

Trump has not responded publicly yet. The White House criticized the show's creators as "desperate." White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers made a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: "The Left's hypocrisy truly has no end. For years, they have attacked South Park for what they called 'offensive' content, but suddenly they are praising the show."

Rogers continued: "Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which explains why their popularity continues hitting record lows. 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."

She added: "President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history. No fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak."

Other fans noticed that Paramount, who owns the network broadcasting South Park, recently paid Trump $16 million to settle a 60 Minutes lawsuit. Critics view this decision as Paramount giving in to the White House.

@BlackMagicSama wrote: "The new #SouthPark is an absolute masterpiece and a shot across the bow to all those companies currently capitulating to Trump. Paramount should be ashamed." @defonotfranklin said: "This is why I love South Park. They don't give a damn and want to give us a clear message that Donald Trump is a piece of garbage. Forget Trump. Forget idiotic MAGA supporters. Forget Paramount."

@WUTangKids added: "Holy smokes, South Park just went scorched earth on Trump for their season 27 premiere. Paramount is gonna love this after giving Trey Parker and Matt Stone a cool $1.5B streaming deal."

Not everyone enjoyed the episode. @ajonestherapist called the episode "lazy" and "woke." He continued: "It has become self-aware of its own cultural cache and relevance. It's leaning into it with the subtlety of Marvel humor." @gregorytangelo was similarly upset, claiming the series had "jumped the shark."

Unfortunately, South Park season 27 cannot be streamed in the UK at this time. New episodes from South Park season 27 will become available on Sky at some point in the future.

@gregorytangelo wrote: "Matt & Trey gave in to the disease of changing storylines to attack Trump—without sarcasm, irony, or laughs. The show used to make jokes about everything and everyone; now it's just a partisan hate festival—and only disturbed people want to watch that."

@RandMatthews commented: "South Park has gone woke. They must go broke."

Mr Matthews may wait a long time before the South Park team loses money. The co-creators reportedly signed a $1.5 billion agreement with Paramount to keep the show running for another five years.

Metro contacted the White House and President Trump for comment.

This article was first published on July 24.