The Onion is making another attempt to acquire Alex Jones' Infowars platforms and convert them into a comedy website that parodies the conspiracy theorist. A Texas judge is scheduled to consider the satirical news outlet's proposed takeover on Thursday, although Jones has filed last-minute appeals in both state and federal courts to block the hearing. This development comes amid ongoing legal disputes over more than $1 billion that Jones owes to relatives of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, after he falsely claimed the 2012 massacre in Connecticut was a hoax.
Background on the Legal Case
Several relatives of the 20 first graders and six educators killed at Sandy Hook sued Jones and his company in Connecticut and Texas for defamation and inflicting emotional distress. They alleged that Jones' claims about the shooting being staged by "crisis actors" to push for gun control led to harassment, including death and rape threats, in-person intimidation, and abusive social media comments. Jones argued there was no evidence linking him to the actions of others, but he did concede under oath that the shooting actually occurred.
The Connecticut case resulted in a judgment of over $1.4 billion in damages, later reduced by about $150 million on appeal. In Texas, Jones was ordered to pay nearly $50 million, with an appeal still pending. Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022.
The Onion's Previous Bid and New Plan
In 2024, a bankruptcy auction sought to liquidate Infowars' assets to help satisfy the judgments, and The Onion was initially declared the winning bidder. However, the bankruptcy judge rejected that plan, citing issues with the bid and the bidding process. The judge then allowed the Sandy Hook families to pursue liquidation in state court, which Jones appealed.
The Onion's new proposal involves a six-month licensing agreement with an option to renew, as a court-appointed receiver works to eventually sell the assets of Infowars' parent company, Free Speech Systems. Proceeds from the liquidation would go to the Sandy Hook families. The Onion would pay $81,000 per month to cover rent for the building housing Infowars' studios, utilities, and other costs.
What The Onion Has Planned for Infowars
The Onion recently announced it has hired staff to run the revamped Infowars platforms, including comedian Tim Heidecker, known for his work on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim shows. Plans include parody content and other forms of comedy. Based in Chicago, The Onion was founded in the 1980s and has a long history of satirizing politics and pop culture, often targeting Jones in mocking articles. It carries the banner of "America's Finest News Source" on its masthead.
Notably, after mass shootings in the U.S., The Onion frequently republishes one of its most famous recurring satirical pieces: "'No Way to Prevent This,' Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens."
Jones' Response and Future Plans
Jones has vowed to fight the takeover. If successful, he plans to continue broadcasting on his personal social media accounts, new websites, and dozens of radio stations that air his program. He also intends to keep selling merchandise, including dietary supplements and clothing, which generate millions of dollars annually.
Jones' media empire grew from humble beginnings. After being fired from an Austin radio station in the mid-1990s, he started broadcasting from home on his Infowars website, buying the domain name for $9. By 2004, he had two employees and a small office; by 2010, over 60 employees; and by 2024, four studios in Austin and a warehouse for product sales. Jones says he has a new Austin studio ready if he loses Infowars.
