Following its Season 27 debut that criticized President Donald Trump, South Park persists in targeting Trump’s administration in the season’s second episode. Entitled “Got A Nut,” the episode revisits the premiere’s contentious portrayal of Trump, depicting him in bed with Satan and representing him with a micropenis. The episode also lampoons Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and Vice President JD Vance.
South Park vigorously critiques ICE agents. The episode’s depiction of ICE renders South Park’s previous criticisms of the DHS on social media appear tame. In the episode, South Park Elementary guidance counselor Mr. Mackey loses his job due to government budget cuts, a reference to the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) sweeping reductions. To earn a living, Mackey joins ICE, enticed by a $100,000 salary and a signing bonus. South Park ridicules ICE’s hiring practices, presenting it as having no background checks or necessary qualifications. The episode aired as the DHS revealed it would eliminate age limits for new employees.
“We don’t require experience,” states South Park’s ICE recruitment video, adding, “If you need employment, it’s a job to consider.” Despite claiming pride in their positions, all ICE agents in South Park don masks in embarrassment, mirroring real-life masked ICE agents, a troubling image. South Park’s ICE personnel, including Mackey, aspire to detain as many immigrants as possible, leading them to a live show of Dora the Explorer. Dora ultimately ends up giving massages in Mar-a-Lago. Subsequently, they transition to heaven to detain angels they find unworthy. During the raids, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem directs her recruits: “If it’s brown, it goes down.”
Kristi Noem also embarks on a puppy-killing spree in South Park. In addition to her post as DHS Secretary, South Park ridicules Noem with a recurring gag about her Botox and alludes to her admission of shooting her 14-month-old dog due to aggressive behavior. “A few years ago, I had to put my puppy down by shooting it in the face because sometimes doing what’s important means doing what’s hard,” Noem declares in an ICE orientation video. She spends the episode shooting puppies, including a service dog at the Dora show and Superman’s superdog, Krypto. By the episode’s conclusion, she blasts her way through a pet shop. If Noem continues to feature in South Park, no dog is safe.
JD Vance also makes his debut in South Park. Styled after Tattoo from Fantasy Island, Vance emerges as Vice President. Although he receives less airtime than Noem or Trump, his presence is striking. Trump labels him “stupid” and shoves him out of frame. Later, Vance volunteers to apply baby oil to Satan in a scene that showcases South Park Trump’s animated micropenis. Vance responded on social media, posting, “Well, I’ve finally made it.”
Eric Cartman transforms into Charlie Kirk in South Park. While “Got A Nut” primarily revolves around Mackey’s experiences with ICE, a subplot introduces the show’s interpretation of Charlie Kirk. Cartman becomes incensed at classmate Clyde Donovan for launching a right-wing debate podcast filled with inflammatory views on abortion, women, and Jews. Cartman resolves to become the ultimate “master debater,” adopting a Kirk-like hairstyle and initiating his own podcast. Through Cartman, South Park recreates Kirk’s combative debate style, even echoing the right-wing slogan “What is a woman?” intended to undermine trans women’s experiences. In an episode rich with satire, Cartman’s Kirk-inspired antics stand out as particularly precise.
As South Park progresses through its Season 27, the lingering question is, “Who from the Trump administration will the show parody next?” South Park is currently streaming on Paramount+. New episodes premiere Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on Comedy Central and stream the following day on Paramount+.