South Park Removed from HBO Max Over Controversial Trump Deepfake Episode

South Park has been removed from HBO Max due to a controversial Season 27 premiere that featured a deepfake of Donald Trump. The episode, titled “Sermon on the Mount,” caused an immediate backlash for its portrayal of Trump in various compromising situations. This episode marked the show’s return after a two-year hiatus and took aim at the former president in a way that surprised many viewers.

The White House responded strongly to the episode, with assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers dismissing the show as “irrelevant” and labeling the episode as a “desperate attempt for attention.” Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone addressed the controversy at San Diego Comic-Con by sarcastically apologizing and drawing laughter from the audience.

In conjunction with this backlash, South Park will no longer be available on HBO Max starting August 4. Following a $1.5 billion deal signed in July, the entire series, including previous seasons, specials, and new episodes, will be exclusively streaming on Paramount+.

On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert commended the creators for their message of hope in the controversial episode and defended the creative freedom of AI-driven satire. Since its debut in 1997, South Park has been known for its fearless humor and political satire, making it one of the most influential and long-lasting animated series on television.