Cards Against Humanity, known for its provocative humor, has introduced a limited edition version of its game that lacks traditional gameplay instructions. Instead, each card comes with a comprehensive explanation detailing the context of its humor, including its social, political, and historical significance.
This approach allows the product, dubbed “Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke,” to be classified not as a game but as “informational material,” which is exempt from tariffs that typically apply to overseas products. The company asserts that it has received a ruling from Customs and Border Protection confirming this classification.
In an FAQ addressing potential criticisms, the company humorously questions whether Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, might dispute the classification of the product. Notably, the FAQ references a controversy surrounding Noem, who has faced public scrutiny for her actions regarding a dog. The company maintains that it is armed with a binding ruling from the federal government affirming the product’s status, emphasizing its exemption from tariffs.
Pre-orders for the $25 item will close on October 15, and the company claims this edition will never be reprinted. All proceeds will be donated to the American Library Association to support efforts against censorship.
This is the way
While Cards Against Humanity has never been labeled as refined entertainment, the promotional website for the new edition features bold statements like “Trump is Going to Fuck Christmas,” which indirectly references the aforementioned tariffs.
The site encourages consumers to consider gifting knowledge and financial support to libraries while vowing to withhold money from former President Trump.
Some of the jokes included, along with their explanations, have a surprising level of depth. For example, one card features a quote from T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow Men,” infamously beginning with the lines:
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
In a humorous twist, the card alters the final line to read: “Not with a bang, but with _____________,” complete with an additional comma. The accompanying explanation provides insight into Eliot’s context, noting the contrast between the poem’s sophisticated language and the often crude humor of Cards Against Humanity. This may encourage curious players to explore Eliot’s works further.
For those interested, Eliot’s acclaimed pieces include “The Waste Land,” “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” “The Hollow Men,” “Journey of the Magi,” and “Ash Wednesday.” Additionally, he penned “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” which inspired the musical “Cats,” notorious for its production challenges, including the infamous “butthole cut” that required significant editing effort.
This is not the first time Cards Against Humanity has engaged in politically charged initiatives. In 2017, the company acquired land on the US-Mexico border to obstruct the construction of Trump’s border wall. More recently, in 2024, the company filed a lawsuit against SpaceX, claiming that the rocket company had encroached upon its Texas property without permission.
