In a recent ruling, a judge found issues with the auction process for Infowars, dismissing The Onion's purchase attempt backed by Sandy Hook victims' families and allowing the bidding process to reopen.
Bankruptcy Judge Blocks The Onion's Bid for Infowars Amid Controversy
Bankruptcy Judge Blocks The Onion's Bid for Infowars Amid Controversy
A U.S. judge has declared the auction for Alex Jones's Infowars to be flawed, rejecting a proposed sale to The Onion.
In a dramatic courtroom decision, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez has denied The Onion's acquisition of Alex Jones's controversial Infowars website, citing a flawed auction process that did not yield the best possible bids. The recent two-day hearing brought to light Jones's allegations of "collusion" during the auction, which the judge ultimately dismissed.
The Onion, a satirical news platform, claimed that their bidding was supported by the families affected by the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, who had previously won a significant defamation lawsuit against Jones. This legal victory stemmed from Jones's dissemination of false information regarding the shooting, which left 20 young children and six staff members dead in 2012.
Judge Lopez characterized the auction's handling by the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee as a "good-faith error," suggesting that the process should have fostered competitive negotiations rather than settling prematurely. He stated, “This should have been opened back up, and it should have been opened back up for everybody,” underscoring the flaws in the original auction.
Following the ruling, Jones expressed satisfaction with the outcome, labeling the auction as "ridiculous" and "fraudulent." The Onion's chief executive, Ben Collins, expressed disappointment and asserted that the company would pursue further attempts to secure the Infowars brand.
Having transitioned from a fringe broadcaster in Texas, Jones amassed a sizable following by blending entertainment with conspiracy theories, often blurring the lines between factual reporting and fabrication. His most damaging assertions about Sandy Hook have led to harassment campaigns against victims' families, for which he eventually acknowledged the reality of the tragedy, yet insisted that his previous statements were protected under U.S. free speech laws.
The fallout from Jones's statements culminated in multiple defamation judgments against him, leading to his bankruptcy declaration in 2022. As of June 2024, a court ruling mandated the liquidation of Jones's personal assets, which were valued at approximately $8.6 million.
The future of Infowars remains uncertain as the bidding process is set to reopen, potentially reigniting interest from various stakeholders amid an ongoing legal saga surrounding one of America’s most contentious media figures.
