South Park, the long-running animated sitcom on Comedy Central, has launched its 27th season by making President Donald Trump the driving force of its storylines. With his return to the White House, the creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have turned much of the plot towards lampooning his administration, its policies and its cultural impact. 

Fox News observed that the season heavily revolves around Trump, with his character inserted into nearly every episode. It noted that Trump is shown through photo animations and portrayed in exaggerated scenarios, including a toxic relationship with Satan and repeated references to his body.

According to the network’s review, most of the show’s characters find their lives disrupted by Trump. Mr Mackey, for instance, becomes an immigration enforcement officer after losing his school job due to lawsuits, while Randy Marsh turns his farm into a tech venture with help from ChatGPT after a raid strips him of workers.

Cartman, struggling with the supposed end of wokeness, even reinvents himself as a version of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, staging debates against college students. Fox News argued, however, that the humour around Trump and his team feels repetitive, with familiar gags failing to break new ground. The review suggested that while conservatives may take jokes in stride, the material itself lacks sharpness.

The Guardian’s review took a different view, highlighting that the new season succeeds by reviving harsh caricatures without slipping into self-righteous comedy. It pointed out that the creators avoided applause-seeking humour, instead relying on exaggerated portrayals of Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The publication noted that Trump is animated using recycled photos, similar to how Saddam Hussein was once depicted in the show, and linked again to Satan as a partner. Noem, meanwhile, is shown as a ruthless figure overseeing immigration raids, her glamorous image repeatedly reconstructed in bizarre ways.

Beyond Trump, The Guardian also appreciated how the season used long-time characters for new angles. Randy Marsh’s dependence on ChatGPT, both for his farming business and his personal life, stood out as a biting commentary on technology and addiction. Cartman’s reduced presence, paired with his parody of right-wing debate culture, was seen as a fresher use of the ensemble.

While Fox News criticised the season’s Trump focus as stale, The Guardian argued that its harshness feels timely and effective. Together, the reviews show how the programme continues to polarise opinion nearly three decades since its debut.

With a major streaming deal in place, South Park is set to continue, ensuring its politically charged satire remains part of television debates as Trump’s presidency unfolds.