South Park roasts 'Cosplay Barbie' Kristi Noem in ICE recruitment parody that plays up her puppy scandal

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

WASHINGTON, DC: Trey Parker and Matt Stone are proving that a $1.5 billion streaming deal with CBS doesn’t mean they’re pulling any punches.

If anything, the 'South Park' creators have only sharpened their satire. In their latest episode, the target is Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem. The long-running animated series, known for lampooning political figures from every side, has taken aim at Noem just two episodes into the new season.

The show skewered President Donald Trump in the first episode of the new season, even depicting him in bed with Satan. Now, they seem to be moving down the roster of his allies.

South Park pokes fun at Kristi Noem's real-life puppy scandal

The episode follows South Park Elementary’s Mr Mackey, who loses his job due to budget cuts and decides to apply for a position with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after learning he can’t afford his monthly “nut” without income.

At the ICE recruitment center, he’s shown a video featuring an animated version of Noem who introduces herself to new recruits by immediately referencing her infamous dog incident.

“Welcome to the team, recruits. I’m Kristi Noem, head of Homeland Security,” the character says. “A few years ago, I had to put my puppy down by shooting it in the face, because sometimes, doing what’s important means doing what’s hard.”

She then draws a gun and shoots a puppy in the video, much to Mr Mackey’s horror. “Now, we’ll ask the same determination of you,” she continues. “Because detaining and questioning people is never easy.” 

She immediately shoots another pup.

The video also jabs at Noem’s optics, mocking the nickname “Cosplay Barbie” that critics have used to describe her frequent photoshoots. Whether she’s donning cowboy gear while riding horses in Argentina or sporting tactical vests during raids, the show uses her wardrobe changes as creative ammunition.

As the video progresses, Noem’s face appears to literally fall off and requires a team of stylists and experts to put it back together on the spot. “As the face of Homeland Security, I’ll be leading the way,” she says as her face melts down. “And together we’ll make sure everyone is in this country legally.”

Her glam squad quickly restores her appearance before she wraps up the video by encouraging recruits to get to work — rounding up suspects as part of their new ICE mission.

Throughout the rest of the episode, Noem continues to deal with her crumbling appearance and needs constant touch-ups before each press moment. By the episode’s end, at least three more animated dogs are shown being shot.

Backlash, praise, and a mock apology after South Park's first episide of new season

The creators’ latest roast comes as the show continues to earn praise for pushing boundaries even decades into its run. Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment, offered high praise for Parker and Stone.

“Matt and Trey are singular, creative forces whose fearless humor and boundary-pushing storytelling have made South Park one of the most beloved and enduring series ever — more popular today than at any point in its history, and one of the most valuable TV franchises in the world," McCarthy gushed.

But not everyone is laughing. After an earlier episode took direct aim at Trump, the president's team fired back.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers issued a statement slamming the show as “uninspired” and “not relevant for over 20 years.” He also said it was a "desperate attempt for attention" and that "no fourth-rate show" is going to derail the President’s "hot streak.”

Parker and Stone didn’t take the bait. Instead, they responded with a joke apology during a Comic-Con appearance, telling fans with a straight face that they're "terribly sorry."

At the time of their record-breaking CBS deal, Parker sounded like a man with bigger ambitions than just stirring up controversy.

“We are grateful for this opportunity and deeply honored by the trust placed in us,” he said in a statement. “This is about more than a contract — it’s about our commitment to this organization, our teammates, and our fans. We’re focused on building something special and doing whatever it takes to bring championships to this city.”

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