‘South Park’ satirizes federal takeover of DC police in latest episode targeting Trump

Highlights:

The animated series South Park has once again turned its sharp satirical lens on the Trump administration, this time lampooning the federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police department. The episode, aired Wednesday (20) Comedy Central, combines political commentary with the show’s trademark irreverence, addressing not just the takeover but broader themes involving artificial intelligence and global politics.

One of the episode’s recurring characters, Towelie—a sentient, walking, talking towel—makes an appearance riding a bus past iconic Washington landmarks such as the Supreme Court and the Capitol. The scenes are set against a backdrop of heavily armed troops patrolling streets and a tank rumbling past the White House, visually dramatizing the federal enforcement presence.

Alongside this imagery, the episode takes aim at world leaders and prominent tech CEOs, caricaturing their eagerness to please President Donald Trump. The narrative eventually brings Towelie inside the Oval Office for an encounter with the president.

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone continue to push boundaries in their 27th season. They recently signed a lucrative $1.5 billion, five-year deal with Paramount, securing new episodes and streaming rights for the long-running satire.

This season’s second episode sparked notable buzz by portraying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a controversial light, depicting her shooting puppies—a dramatization referencing a story from her biography about putting down the family dog due to behavioral problems. The episode further exaggerated her character by showing her followed by beauticians attempting to reattach her face. Responding to the portrayal, Noem remarked to conservative commentator Glenn Beck, “It’s so easy to make fun of women for how they look.”

The season premiere boldly mocked President Trump by depicting him in a raunchy scenario sharing a bed with Satan, a scene that made a return in the latest episode.

Despite its biting humor and high profile, the White House has dismissed “South Park” as a “fourth-rate, no-longer-relevant show.” Nevertheless, the program commands a significant audience; Comedy Central announced that the Noem episode recorded the highest audience share in the show’s history—a nod to the large portion of television viewers tuning in at the time.

South Park continues to hold its position as a culturally influential show unafraid to satirize the most powerful figures and institutions, shining a comedic yet critical spotlight on current affairs.