In the latest South Park episode, which aired on Friday, the animated series took a satirical jab at Attorney General Pam Bondi, portraying her with a brown substance on her face in a metaphorical depiction of her perceived loyalty to President Donald Trump. Set against a Halloween backdrop, the episode features Bondi on a mission to protect Satan, characterized as Trump's "partner" and pregnant, in a starkly exaggerated narrative aimed at comedic effect.
"We won’t let any harm come to the baby of the greatest president that ever lived. You are without equal, sir."
The episode includes a scene where Bondi reassures a character, saying, "We won’t let any harm come to the baby of the greatest president that ever lived. You are without equal, sir," following which she inadvertently smears her face with the brown substance. Upon attempting to clean her face, she is told that it is not clear, reinforcing the episode's underlying critique of her closeness to the President.
South Park, streamed on Paramount+, has increasingly focused its satirical lens on the Trump administration, with not just Bondi, but also Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio becoming subjects of its pointed humor. The show portrays these figures in light of perceived policy inconsistencies or personal absurdities, often using caricature and hyperbolic visual gags to drive home its points.
The series has not been timid in its portrayal of the current administration, incorporating real-world tensions into its narratives. Earlier in the year, episodes have mocked various aspects of the administration, including a settlement with Trump and the merger between Paramount and Skydance. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been depicted in violent or absurd scenarios, such as shooting cartoon dogs, and an animated Dora the Explorer was shown giving a massage at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. These episodes continue the show's tradition of using shock value and humor to comment on political figures and events.
The recent episode's approach is consistent with South Park's long-standing method of leveraging exaggeration and shock value to make political commentary. By casting Bondi as a "brown-noser," the show delivers its critique in a straightforward and humorous manner.
South Park's portrayals have sometimes led to real-world reactions. DHS officials reportedly had confrontations with the creators over certain depictions, and Noem publicly denounced the show's portrayal of her as "lazy." Bondi has not yet responded to her depiction in the latest episode but has expressed concerns about the negative portrayal of immigration law enforcement officers in media in the past.
The episode has sparked online conversations, with a tweet from The Tennessee Holler capturing a still from the show, highlighting the satirical take on Bondi's relationship with President Trump. The image has circulated on social media, sparking discussions about the boundaries of political satire and the role of entertainment in shaping public perception of political figures.
