South Park Changes Name to South America: Full Story Behind the Trump Troll and Season 29

Yes — South Park is officially calling itself South America (at least for now). On September 8, 2026, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced the change ahead of Season 29 in a classic piece of political satire aimed at President Donald Trump, major tech companies, and their own parent company.

“Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA. We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount — a Skydance Capitulation.”

— Trey Parker and Matt Stone, September 8, 2026

What Exactly Happened

Parker and Stone did not quietly rebrand the series for marketing reasons. They issued a public statement framing the name change as a direct response to recent real-world geography renames and the speed with which major map platforms adopted them.

Major outlets including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, The Guardian, USA Today, and others covered the announcement within hours. The show’s own social channels also leaned into the gag.

The Political Context: Why “South America”?

The joke tracks with a series of Trump administration moves and suggestions aimed at putting “America” into the names of geographic features. Reporting linked the stunt to:

• Efforts around renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America”
• Earlier messaging about the “Gulf of America” (formerly the Gulf of Mexico)
• Public suggestions that New Mexico could be called “New America”

When consumer map apps from Apple and Google began reflecting those labels for U.S. users, Parker and Stone treated the moment as open season. Their logic, delivered through pure absurdity: if maps can change overnight, so can the title of the country’s most chaotic animated town.

Who Got Roasted

The statement lands three clear punches:

• Trump-era renaming theater — the primary political target
• Apple and Google — sarcastically praised for their “bravery and patriotism” in updating maps
• Paramount / Skydance — labeled a “Skydance Capitulation” in the same breath, a jab at corporate consolidation and perceived willingness to bend to political pressure

Is the Rename Permanent?

It is not clear yet. Coverage from multiple outlets notes that the change could be a short promotional gag tied to the Season 29 launch or a season-long running bit. As of the announcement, the production had not confirmed whether the official title card would stay “South America” for every episode or revert after the premiere cycle.

What is clear: the show is leaning into the joke hard, and search interest spiked immediately.

Season 29 Timing and Recent Emmy Win

Season 29 is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. New episodes are expected to stream the following day on Paramount+. Reported additional air dates include September 30, October 14, October 28, November 11, and a November 25 window.

The announcement arrived days after South Park collected a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program — its first win in that category in more than a decade. Recent seasons had already spent heavy time satirizing the Trump administration, so the name-change stunt fits the current creative direction.

Is South Park “Moving” or Leaving?

No. The fictional town remains the same Colorado setting. The “South America” label is satire, not a literal relocation of the show or its characters. Canadian characters have always been part of the series’ running jokes, which sometimes confuses newer viewers, but the town itself has always been presented as American.

Quick Answers to Related Questions

• Did South Park sue Trump? No. This is a satirical statement, not a lawsuit.
• Is South Park a Republican or Democratic show? Neither. It is anti-hypocrisy satire that has mocked both sides over the years.
• Is the show made with AI? No. It uses a fast human animation pipeline with a deliberate cutout style.
• Where is the town supposed to be? A fictionalized version of high-country Colorado, inspired by the real South Park basin.

Bottom Line

The “South America” rename is classic Parker and Stone: take a real political absurdity, push it one step further, and dare everyone to keep a straight face. Whether the title sticks for one episode or the whole season, the message landed. Season 29 begins September 16 on Comedy Central and Paramount+.

More on Vervado

• Why the rename targets Trump, Apple, Google, and Paramount
• Is South Park Republican or pro-Democrat?
• South America vs Latin America explained
• Is South Park in America or Canada?
• What is Cartman’s actual name?

Published September 9, 2026 · Updated with the latest reporting on the Season 29 announcement.