Infowars, the far-right media outlet led by Alex Jones, has been purchased by The Onion, a satirical news organization. This acquisition follows Infowars’ bankruptcy stemming from a defamation lawsuit filed by families of Sandy Hook victims, who sought accountability for Jones’ false claims about the tragic school shooting.
The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, did not disclose the purchase price in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation auction. Their bid was supported by the families, who agreed to forgo a portion of their compensation to increase the bid’s value, thus ensuring The Onion’s success in acquiring Infowars’ assets, including intellectual property, social media accounts, and production equipment.
The Onion’s intention behind the acquisition appears to be twofold: to prevent Infowars from falling into the hands of Jones’ alt-right allies and to use the platform as a vehicle for satire. It has been announced that The Onion plans to relaunch Infowars in January 2025 as a parody aimed at mocking internet personalities like Jones.
Furthermore, Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization focused on preventing gun violence, has secured an advertising deal for the new satirical version of Infowars. The Onion has a history of addressing mass shootings critically and aims to use humor to shed light on serious issues.
The acquisition signifies a significant turning point for the Sandy Hook families, who have endured a lengthy battle for justice and accountability against Jones. Their efforts culminated in a $1.4 billion verdict in a previous lawsuit against him for defamation. Chris Mattei, the attorney representing the families, noted that this sale limits Jones’ capability to cause further harm through his platform.
Robbie Parker, a parent of a Sandy Hook victim, expressed hope that this outcome would underscore the importance of accountability and demonstrate that public figures cannot escape consequences for their actions. The Onion’s purchase symbolizes not only a downfall for Jones and Infowars but also offers hope that the narrative surrounding the Sandy Hook tragedy can shift toward healing and humorous satire rather than fear and misinformation.
This new chapter may pave the way for constructive dialogue surrounding gun violence, making it a significant development in the ongoing discourse about accountability and media influence. The families have shown remarkable resilience in their pursuit of justice, and this latest turn could provide an unexpected route toward healing, one that uses laughter as a mechanism for change.