Comedy Central has removed a controversial “South Park” episode featuring a parody of Charlie Kirk following his assassination at the University of Utah on Wednesday.
The Paramount-owned network took down the rerun of the episode titled “I Got the Nuts,” just hours after the 31-year-old activist was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Instead of airing the intended episode, season 27, episode 2, the show depicted Eric Cartman mimicking Kirk’s style and persona for a satirical college debate podcast.
While an official statement was not released, the network confirmed through various industry channels that the episode was “temporarily pulled” from their lineup.
This decision has met with backlash online, with some accusing “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone of contributing to the animosity that led to Kirk’s death.
One staff member from Turning Point USA voiced on Telegram that “Comedy has results,” adding that Kirk was a target in culture before facing real-world violence.
The episode originally aired on August 6, gaining attention for how it used Kirk’s college speaking style. It concluded with Cartman receiving the “Charlie Kirk Award of Young Master Devatter.”
A few days later, Kirk expressed that he found the portrayal amusing, stating it was a “badge of honor” in a TikTok video. He even changed his profile picture on X to a caricature of Cartman in his signature black t-shirt.
Kirk shared with Fox News that he had always enjoyed “South Park,” finding humor in the show’s take on public figures. However, after his murder, the satire turned into a focal point for anger from conservative circles, who criticized Parker and Stone as “monsters” for mocking his beliefs.
One viral post on X claimed that the show “made him a target on TV and then killed him in real life.”
This incident has intensified the outrage directed at Comedy Central, as season 27 of “South Park” has already sparked considerable controversy despite being only four episodes in. The next episode is set to air on September 17.
Kirk was shot in the neck during an “American Comeback Tour” rally, attended by around 3,000 people. The police chief mentioned that security was present but acknowledged that the measures taken weren’t sufficient.
The suspect remains at large, and authorities have yet to provide more details about the incident.
President Trump responded to Kirk’s assassination, expressing that it was a significant loss, stating, “Even the great and legendary Charlie Kirk is dead.” The killing has sent shockwaves through conservative circles, especially after the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled Kirk’s death an “attack on all of us.”
In the aftermath, anger directed towards Comedy Central escalated, prompting a petition demanding accountability from the network that gathered over 100,000 signatures within the first day.
Right-wing radio host Jesse Kelly remarked on air that Parker and Stone have long taken risks with their satire, which has drawn both acclaim and criticism over the years.
Neither creator has made any statements since Kirk’s death. Plans for his funeral have not yet been revealed, but Turning Point USA announced they would host a memorial rally in Phoenix in his honor.
