Last week, South Park’s 27th season debuted on Comedy Central mere hours after series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker inked a $1.5 billion, 50-episode streaming deal with Paramount. And the series opener, titled “Sermon on the Mount,” turned its sights on some familiar characters: Jesus, Satan, and Donald Trump.
Jesus in Schools
The episode begins by exploring the expansion of Christianity in public schools, as Jesus visits South Park elementary.
At a packed local bar, townspeople watch as a newscaster announces, “More protests today as the government pushes harder for Christianity in our nation’s schools. The president stated earlier that the spirit of Jesus is important to our country,” the reporter continues, “and he will sue anyone who doesn’t agree with him.”
Outraged, one patron shouts, “What the hell is this president doing? He doesn’t even act like a Christian. Why is he pushing it on our kids?”
Later, the episode targets the school principal, once known for being “super woke,” who’s now embraced Christianity. Speaking to a student, the principal says, “I just realized that the side I was on was hopeless. And in times of hopelessness, one finds Christ. Come to him, all who are heavy laden, and he shall give you rest.”
Meanwhile, a bizarre subplot unfolds involving a romantic entanglement between Trump and Satan.
There's plenty to unpack here, but it's an AI-generated clip targeting a popular Christian ad campaign that has generated some of the most attention.
‘He Gets Us’ Gets Mocked
You’ve likely seen the "He Gets Us" ads many times over the last few years. The $100 million marketing blitz repackages Jesus for Gen Z, presenting the softer side of Christianity’s savior. Gone are the days of fire and brimstone – "He Gets Us" shows Jesus as soft, empathetic, and relatable. Backed by Hobby Lobby founder David Green, along with other anonymous donors, the ad campaign has ponied up the dough for high-profile ad spots since its 2022 inception – including at the Super Bowl.
In parody of this campaign, Trump is positioned as a messiah, disrobing as he wanders through the desert.
“He Gets Us. All of Us,” it reads, before directing viewers to HeTrumpedUs.com.
What the Internet Had to Say
There were plenty of reactions online following the episode.
Some found a scene with Jesus talking about Trump's lawsuit against CBS amusing:
Others were outraged about how the show treated President Trump and Christianity:
Meanwhile, others poked fun at the backlash:
But the internet wasn't the only place reacting.
White House Responds
Clearly, word of the episode travelled to the White House, where officials felt compelled to respond.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers called the show “fourth-rate” and "irrelevant” in a statement to Rolling Stone following the episode. “The show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a threat with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.”
Did you catch the episode? What is your reaction?
10 comments
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John Alex Paxson
Too funny!!!!
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Melinda Fulk
I did not. (Haven't watched South Park in years.) But I wish I had.
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Mckeva Jean Banks-Holmes
I don't think it's much that needs to be said about the matter, okay a joke, I didn't take humor in that, and if we're going to have prayer we need to have it 5 time today, once while you sleep, so if it's in school will be it should be everywhere. At any given time. And so Trump is Trump, I believe all is well. So what is in the office it's the right one, such a time is this.
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John P Maher
SOUTH PARK is TRUTH, tRUMP is the WORST and STUPIDEST EVER in THE W H, HOPEFULLY the LAST !!!
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ServantOfJudgement
Soutparrk is truth? Golly John, ya've got a funky interpretation of reality, fella.
On a side note, the creators of South Park have poked plenty of chests. Got into some funky business where people threaten to kill them and other junk along those lines. Few times I guess. They keep at it. Good for them, the got guts.
They've dragged pretty much any political personality, religion and outlook through the mud. Except Joe Biden. I don't blame them, I'm not sure how I'd write a joke about an old guy taking a shower with a 7 year old girl either. It's really not very funny.
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Lawrence A. Benson
I agree with everything that you have said in this post, although I do believe that they have given Joe Biden his fair share of ribbing. But then again, Joe Biden hasn't given them the fodder to work with that Mr. Trump has.
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Lionheart
I have some Trump Tissues if you need one.🤭
It must truly hurt though seeing illegal aliens being sent back home; borders secured; inflation being finally reduced; money finally pouring into the country from tariffs; our own oil reserves being drilled and shipped to other countries; all while watching the leaderless Democrat Party implode with their lowest ever ratings. Not to worry, I’m sure that the barmaid 🥃🍷 AOC, or Harris 😵💫 can restore confidence back into that party. 🤭
🦁❤️
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Reverend Paula Copp
The Orange Jesus is D. (Donald) E. (Exhibits) A. (Alzheimer’s) D. (Daily). Anyone foolish enough to believe that 🍊🐥🌮 has any value in any capacity is either ignorant or not paying attention. It is a foul, evil and disgusting blithering idiot who has set up a Gestapo regime. Of all the abhorrent, useless entities on the planet, the 🌮 takes the prize.
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Jimmy Moon
And still, TRUMP IS YOUR PRESIDENT. MAGA, BABY.
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South Park is and has always been a venue to prompt people to think about a particular issue. To reflect on both sides of the story. No matter what the problem, one side and sometimes both sides will be "offended". It's called constructive criticism, and if you're "offended," perhaps you should look closer at your core values and remember that it's just a cartoon and it demonstrates our right to "Freedom of Speech" in our country. Peace and love to all.