Cards Against Humanity Takes on Elon Musk: A $15 Million Lawsuit for a Borderland Showdown
In a move straight out of the game they themselves created, the creators of the popular party game Cards Against Humanity have filed a $15 million lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX in Texas. The lawsuit, filed on a property originally purchased to thwart Donald Trump’s border wall, accuses SpaceX of trespassing and damaging the land.
"Elon Musk’s SpaceX was building some space thing nearby, and he figured he could just dump his shit all over our gorgeous plot of land without asking," Cards Against Humanity states on a dedicated website dedicated to the lawsuit, "cahsuessmusk.com".
The company, known for its often irreverent and satirical public persona, is pulling no punches in their accusation. The lawsuit alleges that SpaceX used the property as their own, clearing vegetation, moving soil, and staging construction equipment, without any prior permission or negotiation.
Further fueling the conflict, Cards Against Humanity alleges an attempted "lowball offer" by SpaceX, proposing to buy a portion of the land for "less than half its value". The company’s response? A scathing rejection, delivered through a website that paints Musk in the harshest colors.
"Go fuck yourself, Elon Musk. We’ll see you in court,” reads the defiant message on "cahsuessmusk.com", a website that gleefully dissects Musk’s past controversies, linking to articles detailing his alleged involvement in charity-embezzling, conspiracy-peddling, eugenics, and even sexual misconduct.
The lawsuit, available online, presents a stark visual contrast of the property. Before and after pictures showcase the once pristine land now littered with SpaceX construction material and heavy equipment.
This battle, however, is not just about land rights. It’s about a David-and-Goliath showdown between a company known for its dark humor and a billionaire who seems to view himself above accountability.
Cards Against Humanity, in a move typical of their brand, points to damage to their reputation. “Our longstanding reputation as a company that makes outrageous promises and actually keeps them is on the line!” they proclaim, highlighting their 2017 crowdfunding campaign to purchase the land in order to prevent Trump’s border wall and "protect this land from bullies like Trump and Musk".
"If we don’t take action now, why would anyone ever trust us again?" the website asks, subtly turning the legal fight into a battle for public perception and trust.
"cahsuessmusk.com" also plays on the public’s fascination with the wealth disparity between Musk and the company. While promising to split any potential settlement of the lawsuit among the original crowdfunding participants –potentially offering each a small sum of $100 – the website acknowledges the financial reality of the suit.
“I understand that 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 reads, casting the lawsuit as an underdog battle against the richest person in the world.
The "cahsuessmusk.com" website and the accompanying lawsuit aren’t just legal documents. They’re elaborate pieces of performance art, a continuation of Cards Against Humanity’s trademark irreverence and its tendency to use humor and satire to engage in social commentary.
The suit further serves as a commentary on the power dynamics of the digital age, where a multi-billionaire like Musk seemingly operates with little constraint. By challenging him through the legal system and using the public sphere to highlight his past controversies, Cards Against Humanity throws a spotlight on the challenges of holding powerful individuals accountable.
The lawsuit, however, faces an uphill battle. Not only is Musk a formidable opponent with vast resources, but the lawsuit also relies on the public’s understanding and engagement with the satirical nature of Cards Against Humanity. Whether the lawsuit will hold any real legal weight or become another chapter in the company’s playful brand of activism remains to be seen.
However, one thing is certain: the lawsuit has succeeded in capturing global attention, sparking conversations about power, accountability, and the role of satire in a world dominated by tech titans. The David vs. Goliath narrative of the lawsuit, whether ultimately successful or not, is a testament to the power of humor and the ability to challenge the status quo, even in a world dominated by billionaires and their ventures.
