‘South Park’ Takes Aim at DHS with Recruitment Satire
The animated series South Park has reignited its long-standing critique of American politics, particularly targeting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for using its content in a recruitment campaign for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A recent post from DHS shared a screengrab from an upcoming episode of the show, prompting a sharp response from the creators.
In a teaser for the episode set to air on August 6, 2023, the show features a scene with Donald Trump at a dinner table with Satan. The image depicts Trump in a compromising position, leading to further jabs at his administration. The screengrab tweeted by DHS, which shows masked ICE agents, was intended to encourage job applications, but it received a sarcastic reply from the official South Park account, questioning their relevance and telling the agency to “eat a bag of [expletive].”
The recent season premiere of South Park has proven to be a significant success, garnering the highest ratings since 1999. Viewership increased by 68% compared to the previous season’s premiere, highlighting a resurgence in the show’s popularity. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers responded to the episode, dismissing it as a “fourth-rate show” lacking relevance for over two decades.
The recruitment campaign by DHS aims to fill over 14,000 positions, including immigration agents and attorneys, in support of a broader federal effort to strengthen immigration enforcement. This initiative aligns with Trump’s spending plan, which seeks to bolster ICE’s capacity to deport 1 million individuals annually.
The next episode of South Park is set to air on August 6, 2023 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. It will also be available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day at 6 a.m. ET.
This recent exchange underscores the ongoing cultural relevance of South Park as it navigates the intersection of entertainment and political commentary, captivating audiences with its bold satire.
