Animated comedy South Park responds aggressively after South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem criticized her portrayal as 'Ice Barbie' in an episode
In the latest episode of South Park, the animated series continues its tradition of satirical commentary, this time targeting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. The episode, titled "Got a Nut," garnered the highest audience share in South Park history, indicating significant attention to the satire.
The portrayal of Noem in the episode is controversial, as it depicts her shooting puppies and mocks her appearance. This is a reference to a story from her biography where she euthanized a family dog due to behavioral issues. The episode also shows beauticians trying to reattach Noem's face, poking fun at her concern for her appearance.
Kristi Noem has responded to the portrayal, telling Glenn Beck that "It’s so easy to make fun of women for how they look," addressing the criticism of the show's focus on her appearance. However, she has not posted specifically about this latest episode on Instagram, according to the most recent information available.
The White House has dismissed South Park as irrelevant, although the show continues to attract viewers and generate discussion. The Paramount+ version of the end credits scene from South Park was tweeted on August 11, 2025, and after Kristi Noem expressed displeasure about her portrayal, an alternate version of the second episode's end-credits scene was shared on South Park's official Instagram account, which was only available to Paramount+ subscribers.
South Park's Season 27 premiere critiqued President Trump by depicting a fictionalized version of him taking issue with the town and getting into bed with the Devil, as well as showing a video of a naked Trump roaming around the desert. The portrayal of Noem extends from other satirical content released recently, such as a satirical "Director of Homeland Security" orientation video featuring Noem encouraging ICE recruits, which also highlights the controversial puppy shooting story for shock and dark humor purposes.
As the episode continues to generate conversation, it remains to be seen how Noem and other public officials will respond in the coming days. The latest significant public reaction from Noem is her comment on the show's treatment of her appearance; no specific Instagram post or further official responses have been reported at this time.
[1] Source: [Link to the original article] [2] Source: [Link to the satirical "Director of Homeland Security" orientation video]
- The South Park episode featuring Kristi Noem's satirical portrayal includes a daily blend of social-media commentary, entertainment, and pop-culture references, showcasing its enduring relevance in today's discourse.
- Despite the controversy sparked by her portrayal, Kristi Noem has not directly addressed the satire in her latest episode on Instagram, featuring only the alternate version of the end-credits scene on the show's official account, exclusive to Paramount+ subscribers.
