South Park Renames Itself 'SOUTH AMERICA' to Mock Big Tech and Trump

Trey Parker and Matt Stone have officially renamed 'South Park' to 'SOUTH AMERICA' for the launch of its 29th season. The stunt serves as a satirical critique of how major tech companies have complied with political directives from the Trump administration.

The new season premieres Wednesday, September 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central, with episodes arriving on Paramount+ the following day. The season consists of six episodes released every two weeks, with air dates set for September 16, September 30, October 14, October 28, November 11, and November 25.

The Target of the Satire

The name change specifically targets Apple and Google for their perceived subservience to U.S. President Donald Trump. The creators are mocking Apple's renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' and Google's re-designation of the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America' following directives from the Trump administration. This political tension has already manifested in legal battles, with Mexico suing Google over the re-designation of the Gulf.

Adding to the absurdity, Donald Trump previously posted AI-generated videos depicting himself replacing a Lake Ontario sign with one for 'Lake America.' In a statement, Parker and Stone leaned into the irony, saying they were "inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google" and thanking their parent company, Paramount, which they referred to as "a Skydance Capitulation."

A Pattern of Political Provocation

This move follows a period of intense focus on the Trump administration. Season 28 featured a narrative involving Trump, J.D. Vance, and the Antichrist, reflecting the creators' stated interest in exploring "new taboos" and the climate of fear regarding political speech. The stunt also marks a slight shift in production volume; while Seasons 27 and 28 were shortened to five episodes each due to production instability, Season 29 will expand to six.

Industry Implications

By targeting the intersection of Big Tech and government power, 'SOUTH AMERICA' reinforces the show's position as a primary satirical voice against the current administration. The move highlights a growing critique of how private infrastructure—specifically the maps and naming conventions used by billions—can be leveraged for political branding.

What to Watch

As the September 16 premiere approaches, industry observers will be watching to see if the 'SOUTH AMERICA' branding persists throughout the season or if it serves as a temporary promotional hook. It remains to be seen if the show will further address the legal fallout between Mexico and Google or the use of AI-generated political content in its upcoming episodes.