Cards Against Humanity and SpaceX: A Legal Battle with a Humorous Twist
The creators of the irreverent card game *Cards Against Humanity* have recently concluded an out-of-court settlement with SpaceX , putting an end to a legal dispute funded by the game’s fans. While the company originally announced they would distribute $15 million in funds from the trial if victorious, there will be no trial after all, and thus no money to share.
The Origin of the Dispute
The saga began in 2017 when *Cards Against Humanity* raised an impressive $2.25 million from its loyal fans. The goal was to legally acquire land in Cameron County, Texas , aiming to block the controversial construction of the wall proposed by former President Donald Trump on the U.S.-Mexico border. This unique approach was facilitated by a creative marketing campaign, involving 150,000 donations of $15 each . However, complications arose when SpaceX, which operates the Starbase launch complex nearby, began using the newly-acquired land for storage.
<img alt="Starlink stopped competing with satellite Internet companies a long time ago: now it is going for something much bigger" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/576357/starlink/375_142.png"/>
</div>
</div>Elon Musk Against the Card Game
<pBy 2024, the creators of Cards Against Humanity began to feel the effects of SpaceX’s unauthorized use of their property. They accused the aerospace giant of illegally occupying their land for more than six months, which prompted them to launch a new marketing initiative targeting Elon Musk personally. This campaign included a lawsuit against SpaceX for placing construction materials, gravel, and debris on their property without consent.
In their campaign against Musk, whom they scornfully labeled as “a billionaire even richer and more racist than Trump,” the creators promised $100 for each crowdfunding participant should they win the lawsuit, which meant seeking $15 million in damages from SpaceX.
A Bittersweet Ending
Ultimately, *Cards Against Humanity* informed its fans that the anticipated trial would not take place. Instead, they reached an out-of-court settlement with SpaceX, though the financial details of this agreement remain undisclosed. The creators of the card game comically described the settlement as Musk having “done the legal equivalent of throwing dust in our eyes and kicking us in the balls.”
But why accept this settlement? The creators explained that pursuing a trial “would have cost more than we probably would have earned from SpaceX.” They noted that under Texas law , recovering legal costs is notoriously difficult. While they believed they held the moral high ground, they also recognized that Musk and SpaceX could easily outspend them in a courtroom battle.
Compensation for Fans
What about the avid supporters who helped buy the land? In a twist characteristic of the game itself, the 150,000 donors will not receive cash but a unique form of compensation: comedy . The company has decided to send each contributor “a new, exclusive mini-pack of cards about Elon Musk,” which they hope to distribute by early 2026 . In their message to fans, they humorously stated: “Since we can’t give you what you really wanted—cash from Elon Musk—we’re going to make it up to you…with comedy!” As for the land itself, it remains empty once again.
Final Thoughts on the Legal Dispute
This unusual clash between a card game and a multi-billion dollar aerospace company serves as a reminder of how creative marketing can converge with legal battles. It stands out as a fascinating case study in modern capitalism, social commentary, and the power of community support. While the fans didn’t receive the cash windfall they hoped for, they will instead enjoy a new set of cards poking fun at one of the most influential figures in technology today.
Images sourced from the Ministry of Communications of Brazil and Mercado Libre.
For more insights into revolutionary designs in rocket technology, refer to Xataka’s features on notable engineers like Tom Mueller , known for his work on Falcon 9 engines.