An episode of *South Park* that mocked conservative activist Charlie Kirk just weeks before his assassination has triggered outrage, with viewers demanding the show be canceled. The episode, titled “Got a Nut”, aired on August 6, 2025, and portrayed Eric Cartman mimicking Kirk’s outspoken style and combative campus debates. Now, in the shadow of Kirk’s September 10 killing at Utah Valley University, fans and critics are fiercely divided on whether satire crossed a line.
According to UNILAD, the parody has sparked furious debate online, with some accusing the show of fueling hostility. “Hate to say it because I was a fan from day one, but that show should be canceled now,” one viewer wrote. Others argued that the timing of the episode made it disturbing in hindsight, turning satire into something that felt chillingly real.
Comedy Central quickly pulled Got a Nut from its rerun lineup after Kirk’s death, though the episode remains available on Paramount+ and other streaming services. People magazine reported that the decision was made “out of sensitivity” as the nation mourned, but critics said the move was “too little, too late.”
“South Park should be held accountable. You can’t mock someone weeks before they’re shot and shrug it off as a joke.”— @SomeUserAngry
What complicates the controversy is that Charlie Kirk himself had praised the parody before his assassination. In interviews, he described the episode as “hilarious” and even a “badge of honor,” proof that he had become relevant enough to be lampooned. Business Insider noted that Kirk publicly encouraged conservatives to take jokes in stride, something many of his supporters now view differently in light of his death.
Still, the anger is growing. “This isn’t comedy anymore. This is dangerous,” one commenter posted on X, where hashtags like #CancelSouthPark trended after the assassination. Critics argue that satirical portrayals risk dehumanizing figures in already polarized climates. Supporters of the show counter that blaming satire for violence misunderstands its role in democracy. As Decider wrote, *South Park* has long thrived on mocking political and cultural icons, and silencing it now would set a new precedent for censorship.
“Pulling the rerun isn’t enough. This show normalized hate. Cancel it.”— @ViewerRedeemed
The creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have not publicly commented since Kirk’s assassination. But industry insiders told Business Insider that Comedy Central is bracing for backlash from both sides—those demanding accountability, and those ready to defend free expression at any cost. Advertisers too are reportedly re-evaluating their placement around upcoming episodes.
Whether South Park will survive this controversy remains uncertain. For nearly three decades, the show has weathered storms over religious satire, celebrity parodies, and political caricatures. But this time, the timing feels unbearably close to tragedy. As Kirk’s supporters mourn, the image of his likeness being mocked on screen only weeks earlier is now etched into the wider story of his death.
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