Infowars, the far-right conspiracy theory site led by Alex Jones, has been sold to The Onion, a satirical news organization, following Infowars’ bankruptcy resulting from legal battles over Jones’ false claims about the Sandy Hook massacre. The exact purchase price during the Chapter 7 bankruptcy auction has not been revealed.
The families of the Sandy Hook victims, who sued Jones for defamation, supported The Onion’s acquisition, choosing to forfeit part of their financial recovery to enhance the value of the bid. This strategic move is intended to prevent Jones and his allies from gaining control of the Infowars platform.
The Onion plans to reintroduce the site in January 2025, leveraging it as a parody that satirizes Jones and similar online figures. To mark the relaunch, Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization focused on reducing gun violence, secured a multiyear advertising deal with The Onion.
According to Ben Collins, CEO of Global Tetrahedron (The Onion’s parent company), the purchase serves both to thwart the dissemination of Jones’ conspiracies and to inject humor into a serious issue. The Onion has a history of highlighting the prevalence of mass shootings in America, often through darkly comedic articles, and intends to continue this approach with the revamped Infowars.
The families involved in the lawsuit expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that their long struggle against Jones was about ensuring accountability for the harm he caused. Chris Mattei, the families’ attorney, highlighted the sale as a significant step in curbing Jones’ ability to spread misinformation and conspiracy theories that have caused pain to countless individuals.
Robbie Parker, a Sandy Hook victim’s father, emphasized the significance of the sale, declaring it a major victory for justice and accountability.
Ultimately, this shift in ownership not only seeks to curb the spread of harmful misinformation but also aims to bring awareness to the serious issue of gun violence in the U.S. This transaction stands as a testament to the resilience of the Sandy Hook families, showcasing their commitment to ensuring that the truth prevails over false narratives.
The Onion’s unique approach could potentially transform a notoriously divisive platform into a comedic commentary about the very issues that the original site thrived on, promoting dialogue and perhaps healing through satire. In a world rife with misinformation, such creative reimagining might provide an unexpected avenue for educational discourse.