David Ellison Backs ‘South Park’ as Paramount’s Power Asset Amid Trump Criticism and Political Scrutiny

Despite the show’s unflinching satire of Donald Trump, Paramount’s new CEO praises creators, defends content strategy, and steers company away from politicization amid merger fallout

Paramount’s new CEO, David Ellison, is embracing one of the company’s most controversial — and lucrative — franchises, “South Park”, amid growing tensions with Donald Trump and ongoing scrutiny over media independence.

Speaking to CNN in a recent interview, Ellison expressed admiration for South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, calling them “incredibly talented” and defending the show’s biting, equal-opportunity satire. “They are equal opportunity offenders and always have been,” Ellison remarked, distancing the company from concerns that the animated series’ sharp criticisms of Trump might trigger political fallout.

“South Park,” long known for its irreverent take on politics and culture, has in recent episodes aimed its satire squarely at Trump, portraying him in scenes as extreme as being “in bed with Satan.” While these storylines have ignited fierce debate, Ellison declined to directly address the show’s most recent episode, stating he hadn’t watched it yet.

Yet the show’s value to Paramount is unmistakable. Under Ellison’s leadership, the company recently signed a five-year, $1.5 billion deal with Stone and Parker’s production company — securing 50 new episodes and exclusive streaming rights for Paramount+. This bold move reflects Ellison’s strategy to strengthen streaming content and double down on high-performing assets.

Despite Trump’s mounting pressure on media companies that criticize him, Ellison is signaling Paramount won’t cave to political influence. “I do not want to politicize our company in any way, shape or form,” he said during Thursday’s press conference.

That stance is especially significant given recent developments. Just weeks before the Paramount-Skydance merger was approved, the company settled a legally questionable lawsuit filed by Trump against “60 Minutes”. Former Paramount owners were accused of bribery in the process. Ellison denied involvement in the settlement and emphasized the company’s commitment to legal compliance. “We comply with all laws, including anti-bribery laws,” he asserted.

He also deflected questions about potential agreements to broadcast Trump-aligned public service announcements — something Trump himself has claimed.

Concerns have escalated within Paramount after the abrupt cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, a known critic of Trump. While Ellison said he wasn’t part of that decision and learned of it the day it was announced, he pointed to the show’s declining financial performance as the key reason for its cancellation.

Yet, the shadow of government influence still looms large. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which must approve deals involving broadcast licenses, played a pivotal role in the merger due to Paramount’s ownership of CBS stations. The company has pledged to introduce an ombudsman at CBS to investigate allegations of political bias. Still, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump loyalist, has left open a “news distortion” complaint against “60 Minutes,” signaling that government oversight — and Trump’s reach — are far from over.

For now, however, “South Park” stands as a cornerstone of Paramount’s future — both a cultural lightning rod and a streaming juggernaut. Ellison is betting big on the show’s ability to draw subscribers, even if it risks further entanglement with political controversy.

And if Ellison’s words are anything to go by, he’s willing to take that risk — as long as it drives growth, not division.