5 Shocking Ways South Park’s ‘Got A Nut’ Episode Brutally Parodied Kristi Noem

The line between political memoir and pop culture parody was obliterated on August 6, 2025, when the satirical powerhouse South Park aired its Season 27 episode, "Got a Nut." This episode delivered one of the show's most direct and brutal takedowns in years, focusing its biting humor squarely on Kristi Noem, the former South Dakota Governor and a figure who has been at the center of national political controversy. The central target of the satire was Noem's own account of killing her 14-month-old puppy, Cricket, a story she detailed in her political memoir. The episode immediately became a viral flashpoint, forcing a national conversation about political ambition, animal welfare, and the boundaries of comedy.

The immediate and explosive reaction to the episode, which depicted a fictionalized Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security in a new Trump administration, confirmed that creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had struck a nerve. The show didn't just reference the controversy; it built an entire narrative around the most shocking elements of her book, doubling down on the "dog-murdering psychopath" narrative that had already defined the public perception of the story. The resulting political and media fallout, including an angry response from Noem herself, cemented "Got a Nut" as one of the most talked-about political satires of the year.

The Controversial Biography of Kristi Noem

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem is an American politician, farmer, and rancher whose career trajectory has been marked by both historic firsts and significant controversy. Her political journey from the South Dakota State Legislature to the national stage has positioned her as a prominent figure in the Republican party, often cited as a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump. Her personal narrative, centered on her rural roots and family farm, is a cornerstone of her public image, making the controversies detailed in her own memoir all the more shocking to the public.

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• Full Name: Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem
• Date of Birth: November 30, 1971
• Place of Birth: Watertown, South Dakota, U.S.
• Education: South Dakota State University (did not graduate initially, completed a B.A. in Political Science from Northern State University in 2012 while serving in Congress)
• Early Career: Lifelong rancher, farmer, and small business owner.
• Political Career Highlights:
  • South Dakota House of Representatives (2007–2011)
  • U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2019)
  • Governor of South Dakota (2019–Present). She is the first female Governor in South Dakota history.
  • Fictional Role in South Park: Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) in the new Trump administration.
• Key Book: No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward (2024), which sparked the central controversy.

The Real-Life Controversy That Inspired the Satire: Cricket the Dog

The single, most defining moment that led to Noem's portrayal in South Park was the excerpt from her 2024 memoir, No Going Back. The book was intended to bolster her conservative credentials and appeal to a national audience, but a specific passage detailing the death of her dog, Cricket, had the opposite effect.

In the memoir, Noem describes Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, as "untrainable" and "dangerous to livestock." The incident that precipitated the shooting involved Cricket attacking a neighbor's chickens. Noem writes that after a frustrating attempt to train the puppy, she realized the dog was a liability and made the decision to shoot him in a gravel pit. The narrative was presented as an example of her willingness to do "difficult, messy, and ugly" things for the greater good—a metaphor for her political decision-making.

The public and media reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Critics across the political spectrum condemned the act, questioning the judgment and compassion of a potential Vice Presidential candidate who would not only kill a puppy but then brag about it in a book. The story immediately became a political liability, overshadowing the book's intended message and cementing the image of Noem as a cold and ruthless figure, which South Park masterfully exploited. The controversy was further fueled by another passage in the book where she mentioned killing a goat that was "nasty and mean."

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The 5 Most Shocking Elements of South Park's Parody

The episode "Got a Nut" (Season 27, Episode 2, aired August 6, 2025) did not hold back. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone took the real-life details and escalated them to absurd, signature South Park levels. The episode centers on Mr. Mackey losing his job and the boys' reaction to the new Trump administration's cabinet appointments, which includes Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Here are the five most shocking ways South Park parodied Kristi Noem, amplifying the core controversy:

1. The "Dog-Murdering Psychopath" Introduction

In the episode, Noem's fictional orientation speech immediately sets the controversial tone. Instead of a standard political address, she begins by casually discussing the puppy shooting. The show portrays her as an unhinged character who views the act as a badge of honor, essentially admitting she is a "dog-murdering psychopath." This direct and crude labeling was a viral soundbite, instantly defining the character for viewers who may have only vaguely heard of the real-life scandal.

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2. The Defective Cosmetic Procedure Plotline

Beyond the dog controversy, South Park also mocked Noem's appearance, depicting her as having undergone a defective cosmetic procedure. This element of the satire plays into the broader political commentary on vanity and the often-artificial presentation of public figures. The combination of the brutal dog story with the physical mockery created a uniquely cruel and effective piece of political satire that was widely discussed in media coverage.

3. Elevated to Secretary of Homeland Security

In the world of South Park's Season 27, Noem is appointed to the high-ranking cabinet position of Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) in the new Trump administration. This choice is a satirical jab at the perceived criteria for cabinet appointments, suggesting that her willingness to perform "difficult, messy" acts—like shooting a dog—is exactly what qualifies her for a position of immense power and ruthlessness. The show links her personal brutality directly to her political function, connecting her to the administration's controversial immigration policies.

4. The "Doubling Down" Alternate Ending

Following the initial broadcast, the South Park creators, known for their provocative nature, reportedly "doubled down" on their portrayal by releasing a shocking alternate ending. This move was a direct response to the media frenzy and any potential backlash, confirming that Trey Parker and Matt Stone had no intention of granting Noem any reprieve. This creative decision ensured the controversy remained in the news cycle long after the initial air date.

5. The Mockery of Her Political Ambition

The entire episode serves as a commentary on Noem's political ambition, particularly her rumored desire to be Donald Trump's Vice Presidential pick. By making her a high-level official in the fictional Trump 2.0 administration, the show suggests that the very act she used to demonstrate her toughness—the killing of Cricket—is the toxic asset that elevates her in a ruthlessly cynical political landscape. The satire posits that in this political reality, a history of cruelty is a resume booster.

Kristi Noem’s Fiery Response to the Satire

The reaction from Kristi Noem and her team was swift, though somewhat undermined by her own admission. Appearing on the Glenn Beck Podcast, Noem "slammed" the creators and "fired back" at the show for its crude depiction. However, she quickly clarified that she had not actually watched the episode, stating she was only responding to the mockery based on reports.

Her response was framed as a defense of her character and her political mission, dismissing the satire as typical liberal Hollywood attacks. She argued that the show's focus was a distraction from the real issues facing the country. This political strategy of deflecting the criticism while acknowledging the attack kept the story alive and further highlighted the disconnect between the real-life politician and the grotesque caricature presented by South Park.

The "Got a Nut" episode is a powerful example of how modern political satire uses a single, shocking detail—the story of a puppy named Cricket—to create a lasting, damaging, and highly effective caricature of a public figure. For Kristi Noem, the South Park episode ensured that the most controversial passage of her memoir would forever be linked to her name in the public consciousness, solidifying her place as one of the most brutally satirized politicians of the current era.