The satirical publication aims to transform Infowars while addressing accountability in the wake of Alex Jones's past actions.
Satirical Shift: The Onion Acquires Infowars Amid Controversy
Satirical Shift: The Onion Acquires Infowars Amid Controversy
The Onion makes a controversial bid for Alex Jones's Infowars, backed by Sandy Hook victim families.
In a surprising turn of events, The Onion, a well-known satirical news organization, has successfully acquired Infowars, the media outlet infamous for its association with right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The sale took place during a court-mandated auction, with the purchase amount remaining undisclosed. This acquisition comes on the heels of a $1.5 billion defamation lawsuit against Jones, instigated by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims due to his allegations regarding the tragedy.
A Texas judge ordered the auction in September, and various factions had signaled interest in bidding for the enterprise. Despite Jones's claims that he intends to continue broadcasting on an alternative platform, The Onion plans to overhaul Infowars, inviting a range of humor writers and content creators to revamp its online presence.
In a video statement posted just after the news broke, Jones decried the acquisition, calling it a "total attack on free speech." He references a perceived campaign by the "New World Order" to silence dissenting voices, asserting he’ll remain vocal until forced off the air.
The Onion’s leadership articulated a vision to transform Infowars into an outlet focused on amusement rather than alarmism. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company and formerly of NBC News, announced intentions to create “a very funny, very stupid website,” while poking fun at Jones's previous operations. An accompanying satire piece claimed, “Infowars has shown an unswerving commitment to manufacturing anger and radicalizing the most vulnerable members of society.”
Support from Sandy Hook victims’ families, whose lawyer called the acquisition a significant public service, reinforces The Onion’s move as a step toward accountability for Jones. Robbie Parker, father of a Sandy Hook victim, expressed hope that the infamy of Infowars would be eclipsed by accountability, stating, “The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability.”
The acquisition arrives on the heels of sustained controversy surrounding Jones, whose conspiracy-laden broadcasts claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook attack was fabricated. Following years of legal battles resulting from his inflammatory rhetoric, he faced severe financial repercussions. Once an influential figure in right-wing media, Jones's downfall came rapidly as his fabrications sparked harassment campaigns against grieving families—an outcome now aimed to be mitigated by the families’ intervention in this auction.
As Jones's financial troubles escalate, including a bankruptcy declaration in 2022 and a subsequent order for asset liquidation, an unexpected chapter begins for Infowars under The Onion’s slogan: “We’re here to entertain, not to infuriate."
A Texas judge ordered the auction in September, and various factions had signaled interest in bidding for the enterprise. Despite Jones's claims that he intends to continue broadcasting on an alternative platform, The Onion plans to overhaul Infowars, inviting a range of humor writers and content creators to revamp its online presence.
In a video statement posted just after the news broke, Jones decried the acquisition, calling it a "total attack on free speech." He references a perceived campaign by the "New World Order" to silence dissenting voices, asserting he’ll remain vocal until forced off the air.
The Onion’s leadership articulated a vision to transform Infowars into an outlet focused on amusement rather than alarmism. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company and formerly of NBC News, announced intentions to create “a very funny, very stupid website,” while poking fun at Jones's previous operations. An accompanying satire piece claimed, “Infowars has shown an unswerving commitment to manufacturing anger and radicalizing the most vulnerable members of society.”
Support from Sandy Hook victims’ families, whose lawyer called the acquisition a significant public service, reinforces The Onion’s move as a step toward accountability for Jones. Robbie Parker, father of a Sandy Hook victim, expressed hope that the infamy of Infowars would be eclipsed by accountability, stating, “The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability.”
The acquisition arrives on the heels of sustained controversy surrounding Jones, whose conspiracy-laden broadcasts claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook attack was fabricated. Following years of legal battles resulting from his inflammatory rhetoric, he faced severe financial repercussions. Once an influential figure in right-wing media, Jones's downfall came rapidly as his fabrications sparked harassment campaigns against grieving families—an outcome now aimed to be mitigated by the families’ intervention in this auction.
As Jones's financial troubles escalate, including a bankruptcy declaration in 2022 and a subsequent order for asset liquidation, an unexpected chapter begins for Infowars under The Onion’s slogan: “We’re here to entertain, not to infuriate."
