The long-running animated series South Park has directly addressed a wave of fan criticism through its own characters. A new Halloween-themed episode has sparked a viral online trend after one of the main characters openly complained that “South Park sucks now.” This meta-commentary comes after a season of the show focusing heavily on political satire.
What is the ‘South Park Sucks Now’ Trend?
The phrase “South Park sucks now” is not just a social media complaint—it’s a direct quote from the show’s latest episode. The trend went viral following the October 31st Halloween special titled “The Woman in the Hat,” which aired on Comedy Central.
In the episode, character Stan Marsh voices his frustration after his father loses his job due to a government shutdown, forcing his family to move into his grandfather’s retirement home. Stan’s anger isn’t just about his family’s situation—he directly criticizes his own town, and by extension, the show itself.
Stan says in a moment of rage: “How many weeks has it been now, dealing with one stupid thing after another? The truth is, I think a lot of people are afraid to admit it. Yeah, everyone knows South Park sucks now and it’s because all this political stuff is being totally bogged down in it. Remember when we used to do stuff, ever since all this political crap took over.”
This line immediately resonated with viewers and spread across social media platforms, creating the viral trend.
The Episode’s Plot and Crypto Scheme
The Halloween episode features two intersecting storylines that combine the show’s self-criticism with its signature political humor. After Stan’s family is forced into the retirement home due to his father’s job loss at the U.S. Geological Survey, the kids devise a plan to improve their situation.
Stan and his friends create a cryptocurrency meme called “South Park Sucks Now” crypto coin. They believe this scheme might be their ticket out of the retirement facility. The plot sees Kyle’s cousin, Kyle Schwartz, attempting to get support for the memecoin from President Donald Trump himself.
However, in true South Park fashion, the cryptocurrency plan is revealed to be a scam. Kyle eventually realizes that “crypto is a scam that allows the rich to launder money from the poor and become even richer.” The scheme culminates in Kyle’s cousin being arrested at the White House after admitting the truth publicly.
The Haunted White House and Melania Trump
The second major storyline in the episode involves a haunted White House. President Trump complains about a ghostly entity plaguing him after he demolishes the White House’s East Wing to make room for a $300 million ballroom.
Trump calls upon Attorney General Pam Bondi to perform a seance to rid the White House of the spirit. The ritual takes an unexpected turn when Bondi becomes possessed by the entity, which is revealed to be First Lady Melania Trump in a giant purple hat that covers her face.
The possessed Bondi shouts words including “lies” and “Epstein” during the seance, which also features appearances by FCC chairman Brendan Carr and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Carr is depicted as a mummy who has “lost his freedom of speech.”
ALSO READ: South Park Season 27 Episode 6: Cartman Faces the Antichrist and the “6-7” Mystery
Context: South Park’s Recent Political Focus
The show’s self-criticism comes after Season 27 of South Park featured extensive political content targeting President Donald Trump and his administration. The season premiere in July 2025 depicted Trump as a lawsuit-happy leader with comically undersized genitalia, shown in bed with Satan.
That episode provoked a response from the White House, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers stating: “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.”
Despite the criticism—or perhaps because of it—the politically charged episodes have been ratings successes for the show. The season premiere attracted nearly 6 million viewers across Comedy Central and Paramount+, making it the show’s most-watched season opener since 1999.
Subsequent episodes have continued the political satire, targeting figures like Kristi Noem and JD Vance. An August 2025 episode showed Noem continuously shooting dogs and depicted Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as a version of Fantasy Island.
Fan Reactions and Show’s Future
The “South Park sucks now” trend represents a clever meta-commentary by creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone on the reception to their recent work. By having their own characters voice fan complaints, they’ve acknowledged the criticism while continuing to produce content that has maintained strong viewership.
The Halloween episode marked the second installment of what has been labeled Season 28, though the show has experienced several scheduling changes and delays in 2025. Future episodes are expected to continue on a biweekly release schedule, with dates set for November 12, November 26, and December 10.
Also Read: South Park Halloween Special Targets Trump White House Demolition
