South Park Addresses Tariffs and Labubus in Recent Episode

      South Park continues to poke fun at the Trump Administration in its latest episode, where Trump's tariffs affect… Labubus.

      If you're wondering, “what is a Labubu?” you're not alone; even Jesus Christ in a teaser for the new episode asks, “what is a Labubu?” This episode features Trump and Satan coming down the steps of Air Force One.

      For those unaware, a Labubu is a fashionable plush toy created by artist Kasing Lung and marketed by Pop Mart. These figures have gained viral popularity partly because they are sold in “blind boxes,” leaving recipients surprised by which one they receive.

      In the newest episode, Butters attempts to impress his girlfriend by getting her a Labubu. However, Donald Trump stands in his way.

      “Butters encounters the reality of tariffs when he has to purchase a Labubu doll for his girlfriend’s birthday in an all-new episode on Wednesday, September 3 at 10/9c on Comedy Central and the next day on Paramount+,” reads the show's summary, which accompanies a brief teaser available for viewing.

      South Park, Labubus, and the Trump Administration

      Over the course of three decades, South Park has built a reputation for targeting individuals across the political spectrum, characterized by its trademark outrageousness.

      The focus on tariffs represents a new angle in South Park's critique of the second Trump Administration. The show, currently enjoying significant viewership and a surge in ratings for its 27th season, has previously faced backlash from Department of Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem and Trump for its depictions of them.

      In the season premiere, Trump was shown frolicking nude, sharing a bed with Satan, and anxious about the size of his anatomy. This episode also made reference to the Epstein list, which allegedly includes names of individuals linked to the crimes of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Trump has urged the media and his supporters to stop focusing on Epstein and to move on.)

      In subsequent episodes, Noem was depicted with a melting face, a jab at her image overhaul before joining the Trump Administration.

      Later, the show released a brief segment in which Noem shoots a pet store, referencing an incident described in her memoir, No Going Back, where she killed an “untrainable” dog named Cricket for misbehaving and attacking a local family's chickens.

      “I hated that dog,” she stated, explaining that killing Cricket “was not a pleasant job, but it had to be done.” She cites this incident as an example of her readiness to tackle difficult tasks.

      Responding to South Park’s depiction of her melting face on Glenn Beck’s podcast, Noem remarked, “It’s so lazy to just constantly make fun of women for how they look. … If they wanted to criticize my job, fine. But obviously they can’t — they choose something trivial like that.”

      White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers commented that the show “hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is clinging to life with uninspired ideas in a desperate quest for attention.”

      Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have allowed the episodes to speak for themselves. When asked about the backlash at San Diego’s Comic-Con International, Parker simply responded, “We’re terribly sorry” while maintaining a long, deadpan stare.

      The latest South Park episode airs tonight on Comedy Central at 10/9c and will be available on Paramount+ the following day.

      Main image: South Park. Comedy Central.