The Onion, known for its satirical take on current events, announced on Thursday that it has won a bankruptcy auction to acquire Infowars, the controversial website run by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. This acquisition was made possible with the consent of the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, who in 2022 won a substantial $1.4 billion defamation lawsuit against Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems.
In a significant turn of events, Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization established to combat gun violence following the Sandy Hook tragedy, is set to advertise on the newly revamped site under The Onion’s management.
The Onion aims to relaunch Infowars by January, transforming it into a parody that pokes fun at “quirky internet personalities” like Jones, who are often associated with spreading misinformation and promoting dubious health products. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, shared these insights during an interview.
This acquisition not only represents a creative venture by The Onion but also serves as a powerful statement on accountability and the impact of misinformation in society. By using humor to critique and dismantle harmful narratives, The Onion could contribute to a more informed public discourse while honoring the victims and their families.
In summary, The Onion’s new project could help shed light on the dangers of misinformation while providing a platform for engaging discussions around media responsibility and accountability.