Alex Jones, the right-wing media personality and founder of InfoWars, has been sued for defamation by a Texas housing developer over comments he made online earlier this year. The owners of Colony Ridge, a residential development in Texas, filed the lawsuit against Jones and failed GOP gubernatorial candidate Pete Chambers, seeking upwards of $10 million in damages, according to The Houston Chronicle.
Details of the Alleged Defamation
The legal action stems from remarks Jones and Chambers made during a February episode of Jones' show. In the segment, they described the Houston-area neighborhood as a hub of drug cartel activity, a refuge for undocumented immigrants, and a "giant fraud site." The original video garnered over 650,000 views on X before being removed, as reported by KTRK.
Colony Ridge called the accusations "a demonstrable lie," noting that the group funds more than a dozen law enforcement personnel. "We don't want our customers to be subjected to that, and we were finally fed up enough to stand up and fight back," John Harris, an owner of the group, told The Houston Chronicle.
Background on Colony Ridge Legal Issues
Colony Ridge has faced multiple legal challenges in recent years. In 2023, the Justice Department under then-President Joe Biden sued the developer, accusing it of targeting "Hispanic consumers with predatory loans" among other violations. The case was resolved in February when the Trump administration announced a $68 million settlement. Separately, Texas officials filed a lawsuit in 2024 alleging deceptive trade practices, fraud in real estate transactions, and other violations of state and federal law.
When reached by The Independent, an attorney for Jones declined to comment. The Independent also attempted to contact Chambers.
Jones' History of Defamation Lawsuits
This is not the first time Jones has faced defamation litigation. In 2021, he lost a case brought by families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Jones was ordered to pay over $1.4 billion in damages and declared bankruptcy in 2022. Last week, a federal judge denied Jones' attempt to prevent InfoWars from being liquidated, affirming a court-ordered sale to help cover his defamation liabilities.
In April, The Onion announced plans to relaunch InfoWars as a satirical outlet, pending court approval. This news prompted Jones to launch into an on-air tirade, during which he tore off his shirt and branded the parody website a group of "bodysnatchers."
