The long-running animated comedy series “South Park” is getting a new name — “South America” — ahead of its 29th season premiere on Sept. 16, according to a statement from creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
The duo took a pointed swipe at the current political climate, saying: “Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA. We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount — a Skydance Capitulation.”
Context: A wave of renamings
The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” amid an ongoing trade dispute with Canada. Canadian officials have said they will not recognize the new name.
Apple and Google subsequently updated their map applications to reflect the change, though only for U.S. users — Canadian users still see “Lake Ontario.”
The “South Park” move also comes a day after Trump posted AI-generated content on Truth Social suggesting that New Mexico be renamed “New America.” Last year, the president used an executive order to change the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America, a decision that drew international criticism.
Creative and corporate backdrop
“South Park” recently won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program for the “Sermon on the Mount” episode, which premiered last year and parodied Trump’s presidency.
The “Skydance Capitulation” reference ties to the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, which received Federal Communications Commission approval last year after Paramount settled a lawsuit brought by Trump for $16 million. Trump had alleged that a 2024 interview with then-candidate Kamala Harris on CBS’s “60 Minutes” was deceptively edited.
In a related episode, Paramount’s CBS News said in July 2025 that it was canceling Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show,” citing financial reasons. The cancellation came just days after Colbert accused Paramount of paying Trump a “big fat bribe.” The final episode aired in May.
Paramount and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/09/tv-show-south-park-changes-show-name-south-america-trump.html
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
