Table of Contents
- A Bizarre Clash in Boca Chica
- How Cards Against Humanity Bought Land Near SpaceX
- The Lawsuit and Its Allegations
- Terms of the Settlement
- Why This Land Matters
- Sources
A Bizarre Clash in Boca Chica
In one of the most unexpected legal showdowns of the year, SpaceX has quietly settled a trespassing lawsuit filed by the irreverent card game company Cards Against Humanity—ending a dispute over a patch of land near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
The case, which pitted Elon Musk’s aerospace giant against a company known for its dark humor and unconventional stunts, centered on a 40-acre plot adjacent to SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility in Boca Chica. Cards Against Humanity claimed SpaceX repeatedly ignored property lines, parking vehicles and storing equipment on land it legally owned.
How Cards Against Humanity Bought Land Near SpaceX
The story began in 2022, when Cards Against Humanity launched its “Space Games” holiday campaign. As part of the promotion, the company purchased multiple parcels of undeveloped land in Cameron County, Texas—directly neighboring SpaceX’s rapidly expanding Starbase complex.
At the time, the move was widely seen as a satirical jab at Musk’s space ambitions. The company even joked on social media that it was “building a rival moon base.” But behind the humor was a real estate strategy: secure land to preserve natural habitat and prevent unchecked industrial expansion.
“We bought the land to protect it—not to sell it, not to develop it, and certainly not to let someone else use it without permission,” a spokesperson for Cards Against Humanity said in a statement.
The Lawsuit and Its Allegations
In early 2025, Cards Against Humanity filed a federal lawsuit accusing SpaceX of “routine and willful trespassing” on its property. Court documents alleged that SpaceX employees parked trucks, staged construction materials, and even erected temporary fencing on the card company’s land—despite repeated written notices to cease.
The lawsuit sought an injunction to stop the trespassing and unspecified monetary damages. It also highlighted satellite imagery and drone footage showing SpaceX activity clearly crossing the surveyed boundary line.
For SpaceX, the dispute posed a potential headache. Starbase is central to the company’s Starship program—the vehicle NASA plans to use for future moon missions. Any legal cloud over land use could complicate permitting or environmental reviews.
Terms of the Settlement
While neither party disclosed financial details, court records confirm the case was dismissed “with prejudice” on October 20, 2025—meaning it cannot be refiled. Sources familiar with the matter say SpaceX agreed to:
- Remove all equipment and structures from Cards Against Humanity’s property
- Install permanent boundary markers
- Pay an undisclosed sum in compensation
- Acknowledge the card company’s ownership in writing
Notably, the settlement does not restrict SpaceX’s operations on its own land, and both companies have agreed to a mutual non-disparagement clause.
Timeline of the SpaceX–Cards Against Humanity Dispute
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 2022 | Cards Against Humanity buys 40 acres near Starbase |
| Mar 2024 | First formal cease-and-desist sent to SpaceX |
| Feb 2025 | Lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas |
| Oct 20, 2025 | Case settled and dismissed with prejudice |
Why This Land Matters
Beyond the odd-couple headlines, the case underscores growing tensions over land use in South Texas. SpaceX’s Starbase has transformed a once-quiet coastal area into a high-stakes aerospace hub—but not without friction.
Local residents, environmental groups, and now even a card game company have pushed back against what they see as corporate overreach. The region is home to endangered species like the ocelot and sensitive dune ecosystems, making land stewardship a serious concern.
“This wasn’t about trolling Elon Musk,” said a Cards Against Humanity representative. “It was about property rights—and the principle that no company, no matter how powerful, is above the law.”
As SpaceX prepares for its next Starship test flight, the settlement ensures one less legal distraction. But in the scrublands of Boca Chica, the message is clear: even in the race to Mars, you still have to respect the fence line.
