‘South Park’ Intensifies Its Satirical Take on ICE Barbie

Kristi Noem, often referred to as ICE Barbie, may have thought she silenced the mockery when she labeled her exaggerated portrayal on South Park as “lazy” and “petty.” However, the animated series has only escalated its satire.

The latest episode of the Comedy Central staple features Noem as a caricatured figure, complete with cosmetic enhancements and a penchant for violence, including a shocking scene where she shoots puppies. This dark humor references her own admission in her memoir about having to euthanize her dog, Cricket, due to behavioral issues.

In the episode titled “Got a Nut,” Noem appears in a recruitment video, declaring, “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.” The episode culminates with a grotesque image of Botox dripping from her head.

On Glenn Beck’s radio show, Noem expressed her frustration, stating, “It never ends, but it’s so lazy to constantly make fun of women for how they look. If they wanted to criticize my job, go ahead and do that, but clearly they can’t; they just pick something petty like that.”

In contrast to other public figures who have embraced their portrayals, such as JD Vance—who humorously accepted being depicted as a diminutive “manbaby”—Noem’s response has only fueled further ridicule. Within hours of her comments, South Park doubled down by updating its social media profiles to feature a close-up of her exaggeratedly melting face from the episode.

This strategic move ensures that Noem’s caricature remains prominent across social media platforms, amplifying the show’s commentary while her complaints attract global attention.

Interestingly, the Department of Homeland Security had previously attempted to leverage a still from the show to promote recruitment efforts. A spokesperson stated, “We want to thank South Park for drawing attention to ICE law enforcement recruitment: We are calling on patriotic Americans to help us remove murderers, gang members, pedophiles, and other violent criminals from our country.”

They also highlighted benefits for new recruits, including signing bonuses and student loan forgiveness. However, after South Park’s social media account responded with a cheeky remark about their relevance, the department has since refrained from further comment.

When approached for clarification, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated the department's gratitude towards South Park for spotlighting its recruitment campaign.