Cards Against Humanity Sues SpaceX Over U.S.-Border Property Use

On September 22nd, Cards Against Humanity, the creator of the popular adult party game, initiated legal proceedings against SpaceX. The lawsuit accuses the company, owned by Elon Musk, of unlawfully trespassing on property it owns near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Filed in a Texas court, the lawsuit claims that for at least the past six months, SpaceX has used the land as if it were its own. This parcel is situated in Cameron County, Texas, and the court documents detail various actions taken by SpaceX that allegedly constitute trespassing. These actions include clearing vegetation, compacting the soil with gravel for parking purposes, and bringing in generators to power equipment and lights. Furthermore, SpaceX is accused of storing large construction equipment and numerous vehicles on the property.

The lawsuit states, “SpaceX has never asked for permission to conduct these activities and has never reached out to [Cards Against Humanity] to explain or apologize for the damage caused to the property and [the company’s] ownership interest therein.” A request for comment from SpaceX has been sent by UPI.

The land was acquired by Cards Against Humanity in August 2017, described as part of a “prank” or stunt. The purchase, which was funded through a supporter-backed campaign, coincided with then-President Donald Trump’s controversial plans to build a wall along the southern border. The company’s motivations included drawing attention to the “injustice and hubris” represented by Trump’s actions and fulfilling a promise made to supporters to make it more difficult and expensive for Trump to realize his border wall project.

Although the property was never utilized for the construction of the border wall, SpaceX purchased adjacent plots in the years following the acquisition. According to the lawsuit, it has been within the last six months that the aerospace company has allegedly begun using the Cards Against Humanity-owned land as if it were its own.

On a dedicated website established to announce the lawsuit, Cards Against Humanity outlined their side of the story. They assert that when SpaceX was contacted regarding its activities on the property, they were presented with an offer that the game company considered to be far below the land’s actual value. The site cites their response to SpaceX as, “We said, ‘Go [expletive] yourself, Elon Musk. We’ll see you in court.’”

As part of this legal action, Cards Against Humanity is seeking $15 million in damages from SpaceX. The company announced via social media over the weekend that any winnings from the lawsuit will be distributed among the 150,000 individuals who contributed $15 to help procure the land seven years ago.

This case, blending elements of legal conflict with the quirky spirit of its founders, has captured public attention, showcasing the lengths to which Cards Against Humanity will go to protect its property. The outcome of this lawsuit may not only impact the company but could also set a precedent regarding property rights and corporate behavior in land use.

The ongoing tensions have sparked discussions around the responsibilities large corporations hold when it comes to property rights, especially as they expand operations in critical areas near the U.S.-Mexico border.

As this legal battle unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how it develops and what implications it might have for future interactions between companies and land ownership in contentious areas.