Imagine a world where a cartoon can provoke a political storm! That’s exactly what happened when Trey Parker, co-creator of the iconic animated series South Park, sent shockwaves through the White House with the latest season premiere, featuring a naked Donald Trump in bed with Satan.

During a lively panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Parker was asked about the uproar following the airing of the episode. His response? A dry, comedic apology paired with a long, deadpan stare that left the audience in stitches. It was a classic Parker moment, where humor mixed with audacity.

Earlier that day, the White House had issued a scathing statement regarding the season 27 premiere, which aired just the night before. Unlike typical caricatures, Trump was depicted using an actual photo of the former president grafted onto an animated body. The episode didn't hold back; it featured a hyper-realistic, deepfake video of Trump strolling through a desert in the nude, alongside repeated jabs about the size of his genitalia. Talk about a bold artistic choice!

The White House spokesperson, Taylor Rogers, didn’t mince words in the formal statement, claiming, “This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.” Rogers went on to tout Trump’s accomplishments, declaring, “President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history.”

In a playful twist, during the Comic-Con panel, Parker revealed that the producers had suggested blurring out Trump’s anatomy. Parker shot back, “No you’re not gonna blur the penis,” injecting a dose of humor into the production process. Parker's partner, Matt Stone, chimed in about their cheeky compromise: “If we put eyes on the penis, we won’t blur it. That was a whole conversation with grown-up people for four fucking days.”

The premiere also took direct aim at Paramount, highlighting its recent $16 million settlement with Trump, just hours after Parker and Stone signed a staggering $1.5 billion deal for 50 new episodes. As if that wasn’t enough, the episode featured Trump suing South Park after the residents challenged the presence of Jesus Christ—yes, the actual Jesus—in their elementary school.

“You guys saw what happened to CBS? Yeah, well, guess who owns CBS? Paramount,” the animated Jesus quipped in the episode. For context, CBS recently canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert shortly after he criticized Paramount’s settlement with Trump. The decision was said to be purely financial, but it sure left a mark.

The beauty of South Park lies in its rapid production process, which allows the creators to stay hilariously relevant, often finishing episodes in mere days. Parker candidly admitted at Comic-Con, “I don’t know what next week’s episode is going to be,” reflecting on their exhilarating yet uncertain creative journey. “Even just three days ago, we were like, ‘I don’t know if people are going to like this.’”

This isn't just a story about a controversial cartoon; it’s a commentary on the current political climate and the ever-blurring lines between entertainment and reality. With each jab, Parker and Stone remind us that no one is off-limits in the world of satire.