SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas is becoming an unusual gathering place for monuments inspired by Elon Musk — created by both admirers and critics of the billionaire.
Starbase, located near Brownsville and the US-Mexico border, is home to SpaceX’s massive rocket development and launch complex. The surrounding community officially became the City of Starbase in 2025 and has more than 500 residents, while thousands work at the site.
One of the biggest proposed monuments comes from French foundry group Atelier Missor. The group is developing a roughly 50-foot-tall statue of Prometheus, the Greek mythological figure who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity. The project is intended as a tribute to SpaceX and its ambitions.
But not every planned monument is meant to celebrate Musk. Cards Against Humanity is raising money for a satirical monument targeting the SpaceX CEO following a long-running property dispute near Starbase. The company says more than 12,000 people have participated in the initiative, raising about $150,000.
Another Musk monument is already standing near Starbase. Commissioned by crypto project ElonRWA, the bust was designed to resemble a deliberately crude viral depiction of Musk. In April 2025, the statue was vandalized with large cuts across its face before a pink bandage-like sticker was placed over the damage.
Together, the projects have turned the area around Starbase into an unlikely showcase of both admiration and criticism surrounding Musk and his companies.