South Park Season 27 Episode 2 recap: A satire on American politics and morality

Deeya
Still from the show (Image via South Park Studios)
Still from the show (Image via South Park Studios)

Developed by Brian Graden, South Park is an animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Using satire, surrealism, and dark humor, the popular show has been airing since 1997 and has always satirized the current economic, political, and social landscape in the US.

The show is about four boys, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, who live in the titular Colorado town and get into insane adventures. The show features the voices of Parker and Stone, along with Isac Hayes, Mary Kay Bergman, and others.

One of the most influential animated satires on television right now, the show recently premiered its 27th season on July 23, 2025.

The season’s second episode, titled “Got a Nut”, aired on August 6, 2025, and was a blatant satire on the policies of US President Trump, JD Vance, and Kristi Noem. The episode focuses on Mr. Mackey, who loses his job and joins ICE. He goes through unusual situations that make him question his morality, and he ultimately turns down a promotion and stays true to his ideals. Here’s a quick recap.


South Park Season 27 Episode 2 recap

Still from the show (Image via South Park Studios)
Still from the show (Image via South Park Studios)

In the season 27 episode 2 of South Park, Mr. Mackey is fired due to federal budget cuts, and he is no longer the counselor at South Park Elementary School. In order to pay his rising bills, he gets a job with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, he soon finds himself inside a whirlpool of chaos.

Mackey must catch undocumented immigrants, and each mission becomes even more bizarre. From raiding Dora to heaven itself, the show satirizes the government’s dehumanizing immigration policies in the manner the show knows best.

There are caricatures of Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who is glamorous but shoots innocent dogs. While Mackey’s earnings have increased, so have his bills. He ultimately gets to go to Mar-a-Lago and meet Trump for a promotion.


The satire on society in South Park Season 27 Episode 2

Still from the show (Image via South Park Studios)
Still from the show (Image via South Park Studios)

At Mar-a-Lago, Mackey is offered the chance to become the new face of the Department of Homeland Security, but the political corruption and the unethical practices that are satirized by showing Trump nude and Dora giving massages to elderly guests make Mackey uncomfortable.

In a subplot of the episode, Clyde Donovan also suffers from financial strain and creates a right-wing podcast. Eric Cartman gets jealous, and he takes over the podcast with his own agenda.

Later, Clyde wins an award and must go to Mar-a-Lago, where Mackey is also present. Therefore, both of their stories are similar and they intersect. The two discuss things, and Mackey realizes that even if he is financially unstable, he is not going to do a job that goes against his principles.

Both characters navigate ethical compromises for money and ultimately decide to reflect and step away. Finally, Mr. Mackey returns to his role as the school counselor and is happy that he stayed true to his values.


The show is available on Paramount+.

Edited by Deeya