The beloved and highly popular show South Park sparked intense speculation over its future following a highly controversial premiere of its 27th season. Episode one, which aired on July 23, featured a graphic and satirical portrayal of US President Donald Trump, including a scene where he is shown in bed with Satan.
The backlash was swift. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum weighed in, with the White House issuing a strong response. A spokesperson described the long-running animated series as a 'fourth-rate show' and accused the creators of making a 'desperate attempt for attention.'
The episode concluded with series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone appearing in animated form as themselves, quietly waiting for what seemed like an apocalyptic end. The sombre tone at the end led many fans to believe that South Park might finally be wrapping up for good. But is South Park really getting cancelled?
Episode 2 Confirms the Series Isn't Over, Yet
Despite the uproar and growing online chatter around potential cancellation, it appears South Park is continuing as planned, at least for now. Comedy Central released a teaser for Episode 2 on July 30, confirming the next instalment will air on Tuesday, August 6, at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT on the channel. It will then stream on Paramount+ the following day, Wednesday, August 7.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/HqhirJbMO6
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 29, 2025
The teaser itself offered more of the same unapologetically provocative humour that the show is known for.
A scene featuring a caricature of far-right influencer Charlie Kirk quickly went viral. Surprisingly, Kirk himself acknowledged the parody, updating his social media profile photo to what appears to be the animated version of his character, captioned simply, 'New profile picture.'
What Episode 2 Will Include
The 20-second clip teased several new targets for the show's sharp-edged satire. It opens with a Kirk-like figure confronting passers-by with inflammatory rhetoric, shouting, 'You can just shut up, baby, because you hate America and love abortion!'
The teaser also shows heavily armed ICE vehicles patrolling a fictional city, which was in fact an apparent nod to real-world immigration crackdowns. But it's the return of the Trump-Satan storyline that has everyone talking. In one clip, Trump is seen on a dinner date with Satan, stroking the devil's leg under the table. The moment ends with Satan elbowing Trump and telling him to stop.
This follows on from Episode 1's final gag, which saw Trump, now in human form, addressing the audience directly in a fake political advert, complete with the line, 'I'm Donald J. Trump and I approve this message.'
The White House Responds
The White House has not taken the satire lightly. In a statement to Rolling Stone last week, spokesperson Taylor Rogers said, 'The Left's hypocrisy truly has no end, for years they have come after South Park for what they labelled as 'offensive' content, but suddenly they are praising the show.'
Rogers added, 'President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history, and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak.'
Still On Track For Ten Episodes This Season
For now, South Park appears to be sticking to its planned schedule. Season 27 is expected to consist of ten episodes, airing weekly until late September. Also, the show, which has a long history of courting controversy, recently entered a five-year deal with Paramount worth a reported $1.5 billion, which is a strong indication for the fans that it won't be going away quietly.
That said, the combination of political backlash, legal mess, and the show's own self-referential hints at an ending has left fans questioning how long the series can continue to walk the line.
