Infowars, the far-right conspiracy platform founded by Alex Jones—a man notorious for spreading falsehoods about the Sandy Hook school shooting—has entered uncharted territory with its recent acquisition by the satirical news site, The Onion. This unexpected takeover aims to transform Infowars into a parody that critiques the very alt-right narratives it once propagated.
The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, secured the purchase during a Chapter 7 bankruptcy auction, although the financial specifics remain undisclosed. The families of Sandy Hook victims, who previously sued Jones for defamation, played a pivotal role in supporting The Onion’s bid. Their strategy involved forfeiting part of their financial recovery to enhance the attractiveness of The Onion’s offer, aiming to ensure that Infowars would not fall back into the hands of Jones’s associates.
Set to relaunch in January 2025, this new version of Infowars will satirize bizarre internet figures, including Jones himself. Notably, the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety has partnered with The Onion, committing to a multi-year advertising deal for this revamp.
Ben Collins, CEO of Global Tetrahedron and former NBC News journalist, expressed the motivation behind this acquisition, emphasizing the community’s encouragement for such a move and stating that its comedic potential made it an exciting venture. The Onion has also consistently criticized America’s gun violence epidemic, further highlighting the irony in repurposing Infowars.
The creative team behind The Onion released a satirical commentary on the situation, branding Infowars as a “tool for brainwashing,” while poking fun at its history and contentious practices. With a focus on philanthropy, the Onion’s management indicated that the funds from this acquisition would be redirected towards various charitable initiatives.
The lawsuit against Jones culminated in a significant $1.4 billion verdict awarded to the Sandy Hook families, underscoring the legal accountability those affected have pursued. As the loss of Infowars represents a watershed moment, attorney Chris Mattei articulated a sentiment of service to the public. This transition signifies not only the end of an era of misinformation for Alex Jones but also a glimmer of hope as accountability takes center stage.
Hope remains for positive change as this merger may foster a consciousness around the consequences of spreading false narratives, amplifying the importance of truth in media. The families of Sandy Hook victims expressed their steadfast belief in justice, highlighting that true accountability suggests that no one, regardless of their platform size or influence, is beyond reproach.
Ultimately, this acquisition could serve as a cautionary tale for purveyors of misinformation, illustrating that even those with significant platforms can be held accountable and transformed into assets for positive social change.