I have probably mentioned I have become a bit of a news junkie, so much so that I have a hard time keeping track of what I read as well as when and where. That sometimes makes it difficult to track down what I read if I want to refer back to it.
At the moment, I am unable to find the article I read that talked about ridicule as a means to combat the White House. If I recall correctly, the writer made the argument that lampooning politicians, which has been around at least since the advent of newspapers in the form of satirical comics or cartoons, is very effective and this administration would be particularly susceptible to it.
I think s/he was right.
Of all the ways anti-Trumpers have tried to bring him and his administration down even if just a notch, satire seems to be making the most serious inroads. Apparently, both “South Park” and Gov. Gavin Newsom are getting under the skin of Trump and his sycophants.
“South Park” has been brutal. I watched the Noem episode. Noem took great offense to their merciless mocking of her appearance and not focusing on her values. In her lament, she says, ““It never ends. But it’s so lazy to just constantly make fun of women for how they look. It’s always the liberals and extremists [who] do that.” (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-very-big-deal-south-park-is-getting-a-rise-out-of-maga-and-theres-a-reason-why-goog_l_68a76711e4b083a1519f4e19/amp)
If you didn’t see the episode, Noem was absolutely skewered in it. I had never watched “South Park” before. I highly doubt I will ever watch it again. Honestly, the episode was inane, absurd, childish, crass. I could go on, but everybody should know that is exactly what “South Park” is all about.
So, why would anyone give anything on the show a second thought? (I’ll answer that later.)
Looking at her complaint, I will say I agree that women are treated far more harshly regarding their appearance than men. I’d sympathize – if not for her statement: “It’s always the liberals and extremists [who] do that.” Really?
Let’s take a look at a few comments from the boss Noem can say no wrong about (figuratively and literally – if she did, she would be fired) (https://theweek.com/politics/things-donald-trump-has-said-about-women):
- “Bette Midler talks about my hair but I’m not allowed to talk about her ugly face or body — so I won’t. Is this a double standard?”
- “Unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man — he made a good decision.” (of Arianna Huffington)
- “If I were running ‘The View,’ I’d fire Rosie O’Donnell. I mean, I’d look at her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I’d say, ‘Rosie, you’re fired.’
- “I promise not to talk about your massive plastic surgeries that didn’t work.” (of Cher)
- “I never liked horseface. That wouldn’t be the one.” (of Stormy Daniels)
- “Does she have a good body? No. Does she have a fat ass? Absolutely.” (of Kim Kardashian)
Last I looked, Trump is not a liberal. An extremist, well, I guess one could make an argument for that one.
I disagree, though, that “South Park” didn’t highlight her values. Throughout the episode, she shot any dog in sight, including those in heaven – though maybe that isn’t one of her values she was thinking about.
Pivoting to Newson, he has started trolling Trump and his administration with tweets (if that is still a term) a la Trump and has hit quite a nerve.
Trump on his social networking site: “Gavin Newscum is way down in the polls. He is viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California. I will save California!!! President DJT,” to which Newsom simply responded, “Triggered.” (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-snaps-gavin-newsom-trolling_n_68a8c153e4b0371e6a9b001b)
Apparently, Newsom’s goal is “put a mirror to Trump.” I guess Trump doesn’t like what he sees.
Of course, Fox News felt the need to weigh in in support of the president. “‘You have to stop it with the Twitter thing,’ said host Dana Perino. Sean Hannity bemoaned the ‘performative confrontational style’ that only ‘wins you points with the loony radical base.’ Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher referred to the tone as ‘childish.’”(https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-08-22/fox-news-triggered-by-gov-gavin-newsom-trumpy-tweets)
In response, Newsom “told the media last week, if the mockery bothers you, look to the original source. ‘If you have issues with what I’m putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he’s putting out as president.’”
They don’t. Hypocrites. Plain and simple.
in a recent small group text thread with friends on this topic, I wrote: “The GOP loves to dish it out but sure can’t take it.” One response was, “Classic bully.”
And, therein lies the answer to my earlier question: why would anyone give anything on (“South Park”) a second thought? Because these people are the epitome of bullies.
Regarding “South Park,” a HuffPost article I cite above states, “David Schmid, associate professor of English at the University at Buffalo whose expertise includes popular culture and cultural studies, thinks there’s an explanation for why the current season of the long-running animated series is garnering such strong reactions from the White House and members of the Trump administration: ‘Bullies hate being criticized, but they hate being made fun of even more.’”
Bullies hate to be made fun of. They love to dish out but can’t deal with a reversal of power.
I think the far, far majority of people understand bullying is wrong. Yet, how many of us accept that inclination in the President of the United States. Why?
I do not watch Fox News, nor do I have any respect for the organization. But I don’t think they are stupid. I would guess they know exactly why Newsom is doing what he is doing. And, they know that it is hypocritical to condemn Newsom while giving Trump a pass. Yet, they do it. Why?
It is an important question. As much as Trump is a problem, so are those of you who ignore your dignity, morality, humanity – who ignore truth, for without truth, there is no dignity, morality, humanity – in order to give Trump a pass. Because, without your selfish weaknesses, there is no Trump.