Art of Donald Trump’s portrayal in the latest season of South Park has appeared on the streets of California.
The images of the mural were captured in Los Angeles a week after Trump was depicted as lying in bed with the devil, sparking a swift response from the White House.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment on the situation via email.
The Context
South Park returned for its 27th season after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus with an episode that satirized President Trump in a series of provocative scenarios, including lying in bed with Satan and arguing with the Canadian prime minister. The episode, titled “Sermon on the ‘Mount,'” also referenced the so-called “Epstein list”—an alleged list of clients involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. The Department of Justice and FBI have said that no “incriminating client list” exists.
What To Know
The art was captured on Sunday, when passersby noticed that images of Trump and Satan in bed together had appeared on the sidewalk in Los Angeles.
The art appears to be from muralist Rod Benson, who posted the mural to his Instagram on Saturday, where it quickly amassed over 10,000 likes.
The episode aired one day after the Federal Communications Commission approved a major Paramount Global-Skydance Media merger and just weeks after Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit from President Trump related to a CBS interview with Kamala Harris.
So far, President Trump has not personally commented on the episode, but the White House issued a robust response on his behalf.
Comedy Central
Shortly after the episode aired, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told the Rolling Stone on July 24: “The Left’s hypocrisy truly has no end—for years they have come after South Park for what they labeled as ‘offensive’ content, but suddenly they are praising the show.
“Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows. 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. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history—and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.”
What People Are Saying
In response to the statement, South Park co-creator Trey Parker, during a panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, offered a mock-serious reaction: “We’re terribly sorry,” he said when asked about the Trump administration’s reaction to the episode . Parker explained that their decision not to blur certain content in the episode was intentional and in keeping with the show’s satirical style.
David S. Korzenik, a veteran media lawyer, told Newsweek: “There’s no real possibility of any credible legal peril … Any lawsuit against South Park for this would be ridiculous.”
Marjorie Heins, a First Amendment lawyer and author, told Newsweek: “The South Park show is obviously satire, not an assertion of fact, so under the law as it now stands, the satire is fully protected by the First Amendment.”
What Happens Next
Paramount and the South Park creators are expected to continue producing new episodes as part of their long-term deal, despite the White House criticism.
