Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, has responded positively to a parody of him featured in the latest episode of South Park. Set to air on August 6, the episode includes a scene where the show’s character Eric Cartman vocally confronts a classmate, closely mirroring a real-life incident involving Kirk at Cambridge University in May.
In the teaser, Cartman accuses Bebe Stevens of hating America and supporting abortion, reflecting the heated rhetoric often used by Kirk during his “American Comeback Tour,” where he advocates for President Trump across college campuses.
Kirk shared his initial reaction to the parody with Fox News, stating, “Honestly, my first reaction is that I kinda laughed.” A lifelong fan of South Park, he embraced the skit, viewing it as a sign of the cultural impact his movement has had. He noted, “We as conservatives should be able to take a joke,” highlighting the need for a lighter approach compared to the seriousness he perceives in the leftist camp.
While Kirk acknowledged that the depiction would naturally come with mockery, he embraced the humor behind it, even sharing with his 5 million followers on X, “I’m so watching this,” after changing his profile picture to a screenshot of Cartman.
This interaction comes on the heels of the show’s 27th season launch on July 23, amidst ongoing attention from political figures, including a recent sarcastic apology from the show’s creators to Trump after a satirical cartoon left him displeased. The White House also provided a pointed response, criticizing what they described as the “hypocrisy of the Left” in media portrayals.
Overall, Kirk’s embrace of satire reflects a broader trend where political figures from all sides engage with pop culture, indicating the intersection of politics and entertainment remains a fertile ground for conversation and attention in today’s social landscape.