The latest episode of South Park took aim at United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Saudi Arabian sponsorship in their Thanksgiving episode, which aired yesterday (November 26).
The episode opened with South Park City Council looking for a sponsor for their annual Thanksgiving 5K run, called the South Park Turkey Trot, with struggling local businesses unable to support it this year. The answer comes from Saudi Arabia, who agree to sponsor the event, although the ad for the run mentions that “disparaging remarks towards the Saudi Royal family are strictly prohibited.”
This is satirising Saudi Arabia’s sponsorship of many sports and entertainment events in recent years as part of Saudi 2030, an initiative to diversify the country’s economy as well as its visibility in the world. These state-funded events have included concerts, WWE wrestling shows, and a comedy festival.
Turkey Trot: The town’s annual Turkey Trot turns chaotic when Cartman uses questionable cutting-edge science to win the race.
Watch an all-new episode of South Park tonight at 10/9c on Comedy Central and stream next day on Paramount+. pic.twitter.com/iVm8Q57wXc
— South Park (@SouthPark) November 26, 2025
Critics of the Gulf State have claimed that these events are an attempt to whitewash Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, which includes the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Those who have taken part in these events, such as comedian Aziz Ansari, have defended their decision to perform in the country.
Elsewhere in the episode, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was lampooned as his character arrives at South Park police station demanding the release of billionaire Peter Thiel, who is held in custody there. Despite an over-the-top entrance and grandiose introduction, Hegseth is quickly dismissed and thrown out by South Park’s Sergeant Yates.
The episode was a change in direction for the satirical animation, which has aimed most of the jokes in recent episodes at US President Donald Trump. Storylines have depicted him in a relationship with Satan, having a micro penis, and having sex with Vice President J.D. Vance. All new episodes of South Park can be viewed on Paramount+ in the UK.
In other news, Kendrick Lamar‘s upcoming live-action comedy film with the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, has been delayed again.
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