The creators of the popular adult party game Cards Against Humanity on Thursday filed a $15 million lawsuit against SpaceX in Cameron County, Texas. In their filing, the company alleges that SpaceX trespassed on and damaged a piece of property the game maker purchased in 2017 to protest former President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in a Texas court, claims that SpaceX has been using the land without permission for about six months. According to the complaint, the company has turned the previously untouched plot of land into a staging area for construction, clearing vegetation, parking vehicles, storing gravel, and running generators on the property. The game company is seeking compensation for the damage caused, as well as a permanent injunction to prevent SpaceX from using the property in the future.
“SpaceX’s abuse of this property has not only destroyed its natural condition, but has also caused even greater harm to CAH by virtue of the damage it has caused to CAH’s relationship with its paying supporters,” the lawsuit states.
A Political Stunt
The land, located near Brownsville, Texas, was originally purchased by Cards Against Humanity in 2017 as part of a crowdfunded campaign to oppose Trump’s border wall. During a holiday campaign, the company raised money from 150,000 supporters, each contributing $15, to purchase the plot as a humorous yet symbolic act of resistance. The campaign promised to “make it as time-consuming and expensive as possible for Trump to build his wall.” While no wall was ever constructed on the property, the land remained undeveloped, marked with a fence and a “No Trespassing” sign.
For a time, the company succeeded in maintaining the property in its natural state. But as SpaceX expanded its operations in the area—known as Starbase—the company allegedly began using the land for its construction activities without permission.
“CAH acquired the Property for the sole purpose of ensuring that it would stay that way,” the lawsuit reads.
SpaceX Trespass Alleged
The lawsuit claims that SpaceX began using the property earlier this year for construction work, without reaching out to Cards Against Humanity for permission. The complaint includes before-and-after photographs showing the land’s transformation from untouched grass and cacti to a construction site filled with heavy machinery, gravel piles, and other materials. The game company describes SpaceX’s use of the land as treating it “as its own for at least six months without regard for CAH’s property rights.”
The complaint goes on to allege that SpaceX “never asked for permission” to use the land and has made no effort to explain or apologize for the damage. Instead, the company reportedly offered to buy the land for “less than half” its value, giving Cards Against Humanity a 12-hour deadline to accept the offer—a proposition the game company rejected.
The lawsuit also takes a personal turn, alleging that Elon Musk stole the land “without remorse or even explanation, consistent with his public reputation globally.” It also references a New York Times article stating that many of Musk’s charitable pledges to the Texas county where SpaceX is based “have either gone unfulfilled or have primarily benefited his own company.”
In response to the lowball offer, Cards Against Humanity humorously suggested they would “accept Twitter.com as compensation,” referring to the social media platform Musk purchased and renamed X in 2022.
Sharing the Proceeds with Supporters
If the lawsuit succeeds, Cards Against Humanity has pledged to share the proceeds with the original 150,000 supporters who funded the land purchase. The company has even set up a set up a website where fans can sign up for a chance to receive up to $100 each from the potential $15 million payout. The website includes a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer: “Elon Musk has way more money and lawyers than Cards Against Humanity, and while CAH will try its hardest to get me $100, they will probably only be able to get me like $2 or most likely nothing.”
The website also prominently features a profanity-laced tirade against Musk, along with suggested “tweets” for followers to post on Musk’s X and other social media.
A Clash of Values
The lawsuit highlights not just a property dispute but a clash of values between a company known for its politically provocative humor and an aerospace giant led by one of the world’s wealthiest – and conservative leaning individuals. Cards Against Humanity argues in the lawsuit that SpaceX’s actions undermine the purpose of the land purchase and the trust supporters placed in the company to protect the property from misuse.
“The 2017 holiday campaign that resulted in the purchase of the property was based upon CAH undertaking efforts to fight against ‘injustice, lies, [and] racism,’” the lawsuit states. “Thus, it is particularly offensive that these egregious acts against the property have been committed by the company run by Elon Musk. As is widely known, Musk has been accused of tolerating racism and sexism at Tesla and of amplifying the antisemitic ‘Great Replacement Theory.’ Allowing Musk’s company to abuse the property that CAH’s supporters contributed money to purchase for the sole purpose of stopping such behavior is totally contrary to both the reason for the contribution and the tenets on which CAH is based.”
SpaceX’s Expansion and Controversy
SpaceX has been rapidly expanding its presence in southern Texas, drawing both praise and criticism. The company’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica has become a major hub for its operations, but its development efforts have sparked controversy among local residents and environmental advocates.
SpaceX frequently faces allegations of violating environmental regulations at its Texas launch facility, which the company disputes. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently cited the company for repeatedly releasing pollutants into or near bodies of water close to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
Meanwhile, the rapid development has led to tensions with some local residents. A recent investigation by Reuters reported complaints from neighbors about the swift and aggressive expansion of SpaceX’s footprint, with many locals selling their land to the company.
SpaceX has recently received even more criticism as late. Ever since Elon Musk began expressing his support for conservative causes and the reelection of former President Donald Trump earlier this year, both Musk and SpaceX have found themselves under increasing attacks by left leaning companies and groups.
Where Is The Lawsuit Headed?
For now, the lawsuit between Cards Against Humanity and SpaceX is likely to attract public attention due to the high-profile nature of both parties involved. Whether the court will side with the game company or the aerospace giant remains to be seen, but the case serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between property rights, corporate expansion, and politics.
Cards Against Humanity is standing by its supporters, committed to defending the land purchased in their name. “This is not just about a piece of land. It’s about respecting the rights of property owners and standing up against companies that believe they are above the law,” said Kenneth E. McKay, the attorney representing Cards Against Humanity.
Whether the irreverent card game creators can prevail in court against the massive space company remains an open question, but one thing is certain: the stakes are as high as a SpaceX rocket launch.
