The creators of South Park are currently under scrutiny after the show satirized Charlie Kirk following his assassination.
South Park is known for lampooning public figures, but the show is now encountering criticism in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point and a conservative commentator, was tragically shot during a debate at Utah Valley University.
As of now, the shooter remains unidentified, and authorities are actively searching to apprehend the individual or individuals responsible.
Many political figures, including Donald Trump, have publicly condemned the shooting, with Trump confirming Kirk’s death.
Despite the tragedy, South Park is under criticism for its recent unflattering depiction of Kirk.
The animated series has continued to provoke reactions by lampooning various MAGA figures, including Trump and Kirk.
Following the shooting, voices on social media have argued for the show’s cancellation. One Twitter user expressed, “Hate to say it because I was a South Park fan from day 1, but that show should now be cancelled.”
Another remarked, “Well, on the plus side, it looks like ‘South Park’ is about to be cancelled…”
A third comment stated, “South Park is also to blame for what happened to Charlie Kirk. Not one ‘Biden’ episode for 4 years. Then as soon as Trump is in, they literally put him in bed with the devil & add Charlie Kirk to the episode.”
Someone else simply added, “So this is how South Park is going to get cancelled.”
Despite South Park’s history of satirizing a wide range of public figures for over two decades, Kirk himself did not share the outrage some fans expressed.
Before the airing of the episode in Season 27, episode 2: Got a Nut, Kirk mentioned that he found his depiction humorous and highlighted the importance of being able to take a joke.
He commented, “They’re going to obviously make fun of me … but I think it’s kind of funny and it kind of goes to show the cultural impact and the resonance that our movement has been able to achieve.”
After the episode aired, Kirk even took to social media, applauding the episode for its humor and as a sign of his cultural influence.
He shared jokes from the episode mocking him and concluded by saying, “There is going to be a lot said about this but we have got to have a good spirit about being made fun of.
“This is all a success, all a win, we as conservatives, we have thick skin, not thin skin and you can make fun of us, it doesn’t matter.”