The Onion Triumphs in Auction for Infowars
In a surprising twist, The Onion has purchased Infowars, the conspiracy-driven platform founded by Alex Jones. The satirical news outlet secured the acquisition at a court-ordered auction amid the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of Jones’ media empire.
Jones Announces Sale
Alex Jones announced the sale on Thursday morning through a video posted on X. “I just got word 15 minutes ago that my lawyers and folks met with the U.S. trustee over our bankruptcy this morning, and they said they are shutting us down even without a court order,” Jones said. “The Connecticut Democrats with The Onion newspaper bought us.”
Plans for the Future of Infowars
The Onion plans to shut down the current operations of Infowars and relaunch the site with a new direction. The revamped platform will feature well-known internet humour writers and content creators. According to a source familiar with the sale, The Onion aims to transform Infowars into a site filled with satire and absurd humour.
Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company, confirmed these plans in a statement on Bluesky. “The Onion, with the help of the Sandy Hook families, has purchased Infowars. We are planning on making it a very funny, very stupid website. We have retained the services of some Onion and Clickhole Hall of Famers to pull this off,” Collins stated.
Background on the Infowars Sale
Jones built a successful media empire over the years, capitalising on conspiracy theories and controversial content. Infowars gained popularity by promoting claims of government plots, misinformation, and grand conspiracies. However, Jones faced multiple legal challenges that culminated in a financial downfall.
The sale of Infowars was prompted by a series of defamation lawsuits filed by the families of victims from the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. Jones repeatedly claimed the tragedy was a hoax, which inflicted severe emotional distress on the families. Courts in Connecticut and Texas ordered Jones to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages.
Bankruptcy Proceedings and Legal Battles
Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, citing the inability to pay the massive damages. In June, a judge allowed him to liquidate personal assets to begin repaying the families. The sale of Infowars and its parent company, Free Speech Systems, is part of this process. Proceeds from the sale are expected to go towards compensating the victims’ families.
Support from Sandy Hook Families
The Sandy Hook families supported The Onion’s bid to acquire Infowars. Chris Mattei, attorney for the families, expressed satisfaction over the outcome. “Our clients knew that true accountability meant an end to Infowars and an end to Jones’ ability to spread lies, pain, and fear at scale,” Mattei said in a statement. “By divesting Jones of Infowars’ assets, the families and The Onion have done a public service and will meaningfully hinder Jones’ ability to do more harm.”
Advertising Partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety
As part of the transformation, The Onion has secured an advertising deal with Everytown for Gun Safety. This anti-violence organisation will serve as the exclusive advertiser for the newly designed Infowars. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown, shared his hopes for this collaboration. “We aim to reach new audiences ready to hold the gun industry accountable for contributing to our nation’s gun violence epidemic,” Feinblatt said.
Jones’ Media Legacy
Alex Jones rose to prominence through a radio show that evolved into Infowars, an influential online platform. His reach extended across far-right circles, spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories that resonated with many followers. Despite his financial success, Jones’ relentless conspiracy rhetoric led to significant legal issues and public backlash.
The Onion’s Vision for Infowars
The Onion’s move to acquire Infowars marks a unique shift in the media landscape. By repurposing a notorious platform for satire, The Onion aims to highlight the absurdity of conspiracy culture. This purchase reflects the broader mission to combat misinformation through humour and critical commentary.
Observers now await how The Onion will reimagine Infowars and what impact this change will have on its audience. Will this new chapter bring a fresh approach to addressing misinformation or simply serve as a new source of entertainment?
