Alex Jones’ Infowars has been purchased by The Onion at a bankruptcy auction.
The satirical news publication said the offer was approved by the families of Sandy Hook Elementary victims who won a $1.4 billion defamation lawsuit against Jones in 2022.
The auction stemmed from Jones’ personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022 after the families won lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas over his claims that the school shooting was a hoax.
Infowars will be relaunched in January as a new parody of itself under the umbrella of The Onion, as reported by The New York Times.
Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion’s parent company Global Tetrahedron, said it will mock “weird internet personalities” like Jones who spread conspiracy theories.
The Onion would not disclose how much it paid for Infowars. The purchase includes the Infowars studio and a nutritional supplement company.
“The dissolution of Alex Jones’ assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long waited and fought for,” Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was killed in the 2012 Connecticut shooting, said in a statement. statement from his lawyers.
Alex Jones warned his viewers that Infowars could close in the coming days as its assets are auctioned off
People are comforted near Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown
Jones confirmed The Onion’s acquisition of Infowars in a video on social media on Thursday and said he planned to take legal action to stop the takeover. An email seeking comment was sent to Infowars.
‘Last broadcast now live from Infowars studios. They’re in the building. Ordered closure without court approval,” Jones said on the social platform X.
Broadcasting live from the Infowars studio in Austin, Texas, on Thursday morning, Jones appeared distraught as he rested his head in his hand at his desk.
“From day one, these families have fought against all odds to bring real accountability to Alex Jones and his corrupt company,” said Chris Mattei, an attorney for the plaintiffs in Connecticut.
“Our clients knew that real accountability meant an end to Infowars and an end to Jones’ ability to spread lies, pain and fear on a massive scale. After surviving unimaginable loss with courage and integrity, they rejected Jones’ empty offers for supposedly more money if they would just let him stay on the air, because it would have endangered other families.”
“They are heroes and it has been an honor and a privilege to be their advocate throughout this fight. By divesting Jones of Infowars’ assets, The Onion’s families and team have performed a public service and will meaningfully hinder Jones’ ability to do more damage.”
The conspiracy theorist shared on his show Monday that depending on who buys the company, Infowars may have to close.
“Infowars could be shut down on Wednesday if a hostile buyer takes action. Infowars will continue if the good guys can win the auction,” Jones said on X.
The conspiracy theorist shared on his show Monday that depending on who buys the company, Infowars may have to close
Bill Sherlach, husband of Mary, one of the Sandy Hook School shooting victims, speaks after jurors returned a $965 million dollar verdict against Alex Jones in 2022
Sealed bids for the private auction opened on Wednesday. Both supporters and opponents of Jones had expressed interest in buying Infowars. The other bidders have not been announced.
The Onion, a satirical site that manages to convince people to believe the absurd, bills itself as “the world’s premier news publication, providing critically acclaimed, universally respected coverage of current national, international and local news events” and says 4.3 trillion to have daily readers.
Jones has said on his show that if his opponents bought Infowars, he would move his daily broadcasts and product sales to a new studio, websites and social media accounts he has already set up. He also said that if his supporters won the bid, he could remain on the Infowars platforms.