South Park creators rename show 'South America' in apparent dig at Trump
The creators of South Park have rebranded the animated series as South America in a satirical jab at President Trump's geographic renaming orders.
South Park rebrands as 'South America' to mock Trump's geographic name changes
The animated series South Park has officially renamed itself South America, a move its creators described as a "dig" at U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to alter geographical names. The announcement, made via the show's official social media account, came days after Trump issued executive orders to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America and the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
The decision follows a pattern of the show's long-standing satire targeting Trump, who has repeatedly faced criticism for his approach to geographic nomenclature. In August 2026, Trump ordered Lake Ontario's name change amid trade tensions with Canada, a move that Canadian officials rejected. Apple and Google subsequently updated their U.S. map applications to reflect the new name, while Canadian users continued to see "Lake Ontario."
South Park's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, cited Apple and Google's actions as inspiration for the rebrand. "Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA," the statement read. The show's new name also appeared in an image shared on social media, replacing the word "Park" on the iconic South Park sign with "America."
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| South Park's new name | South America |
| Trump's renaming orders | Lake Ontario to Lake America (August 2026), Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America (2025) |
| Apple and Google map updates | U.S. users see "Lake America" and "Gulf of America"; Canadian and Mexican users retain original names |
| Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program for the "Sermon on the Mount" episode (2026) |
| Paramount-Skydance merger | $1.5 billion deal in 2025; merger with Warner Bros Discovery paused in 2026 due to lawsuits |
Creators target Trump's 'America' rebranding and corporate allies
The name change also included a pointed reference to Paramount, the show's parent company, which recently merged with Skydance Corporation. The creators labeled the deal a "Skydance Capitulation," a term that alludes to the $1.5 billion acquisition finalized in 2025. The merger, which faced regulatory scrutiny, was approved by the Federal Communications Commission after Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with Trump over a 2024 CBS interview.
South Park's satirical jabs at Trump have intensified since his return to the White House. The show has consistently portrayed the president as being in a "loveless marriage with Satan," with his vice president, J.D. Vance, depicted as attempting to "evict the devil from the matrimonial bed." This narrative has drawn criticism from Trump's allies, including the White House, which once called the show "fourth-rate" and "hanging on by a thread."
The rebranding coincided with the release of the show's 29th season, set to premiere on September 16, 2026. The announcement also followed a viral AI-generated video shared by Trump on Truth Social, which suggested renaming New Mexico to "New America." The move echoed his earlier proposal to rename the state, which he had previously floated as a way to "reclaim" American identity.
International backlash and unresolved legal challenges
Mexico has rejected Trump's Gulf of Mexico renaming initiative, arguing that no single country can unilaterally alter a shared international body of water. The dispute highlights the broader tensions surrounding Trump's executive actions, which have often bypassed international consensus. Canada, meanwhile, has refused to recognize Lake Ontario's new name, stating that the change "has no legal basis."
The show's rebranding also intersects with ongoing legal battles over media mergers. The $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery, which Trump's administration initially approved, has been paused until June 2027 after 12 U.S. states filed lawsuits alleging it would harm competition and raise consumer prices. The merger's fate remains uncertain as regulators continue to review the case.
South Park's creators have not commented further on the name change, but their social media post emphasized the show's role as a cultural critic. The move underscores the series' history of using humor to challenge political figures and corporate entities, a tradition that has defined its 29-year run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did South Park change its name to 'South America'?
The show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, stated the rebrand was a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America and the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. They cited Apple and Google's map updates as inspiration for the change.
What does 'Skydance Capitulation' refer to?
The term appears in South Park's social media post and alludes to the $1.5 billion merger between Paramount (the show's parent company) and Skydance Corporation. The phrase suggests a perceived compromise or surrender by Paramount in the deal.
How have other countries reacted to Trump's renaming efforts?
Canada has refused to recognize Lake Ontario's new name, stating it has "no legal basis." Mexico has opposed the Gulf of Mexico rebrand, arguing that no single country can unilaterally alter an international body of water. Both nations have expressed concerns about the implications of Trump's executive actions.
The next phase of this story will likely involve further reactions from Trump's administration, international bodies, and the media landscape. As South Park's 29th season approaches, the show's continued satire of political figures and corporate entities may shape public discourse around these issues. Meanwhile, the unresolved legal challenges to the Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger could have broader implications for media regulation and competition.
Dateline Wire is dedicated to independent, evidence-backed reporting. This briefing was synthesized from primary source reporting, corroborated across independent newsrooms, and verified against our Editorial Standards.
