South Park Episode Removed After Charlie Kirk Killing Sparks Backlash

Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator and ally of President Donald Trump, was assassinated at a Utah Valley University rally, prompting widespread outrage and political commentary. The killing occurred shortly after an August 6 South Park episode titled "Got a Nut" aired, featuring a parody of Kirk through the character Eric Cartman, which mocked Kirk and other MAGA figures. While Kirk reportedly embraced the parody, many MAGA supporters and conservative critics blamed the episode and the show’s broader anti-Trump tone for fomenting hostility that led to his death. Comedy Central pulled the controversial episode from cable broadcasts following the backlash, although it remains available on Paramount+. Despite accusations, some argue that blaming South Park solely for the assassination oversimplifies the issue, noting that both Kirk and the show supported free speech and that the episode's critique was part of a larger discourse on political polarization and media influence. The Utah governor labeled the killing a political assassination, highlighting tensions surrounding the event and its wider implications in American politics.