The Onion Takes Control of Alex Jones’ Infowars: A Bold Move for Accountability and Satire
In a stunning turn of events, satirical news outlet The Onion has successfully won the bankruptcy auction for Alex Jones’ far-right conspiracy site, Infowars. The acquisition marks a significant moment not just in media history, but in the ongoing battle for accountability over the false and harmful narratives perpetuated by Jones. But this sale is not just about money—it’s about putting an end to the spread of dangerous disinformation, and in the process, giving a glimpse into the power of satire and media in shaping societal change.
A New Chapter for Infowars
On Thursday, a court filing revealed that The Onion, in partnership with several families of the victims from the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, successfully secured the rights to Jones’ controversial platform. While the financial details of the sale remain undisclosed, the implications are significant. Alex Jones’ empire, built on spreading conspiracy theories ranging from the Sandy Hook massacre being a “hoax” to various outlandish government cover-ups, will soon cease to exist in its current form.
In a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter), Jones expressed shock, stating that his bankruptcy proceedings had moved forward so quickly that even he was caught off guard by the news. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m going to be here until they come and turn the lights off,” Jones said. However, for many, the lights being turned off on Infowars represents a victory for truth, justice, and the victims’ families who’ve been relentlessly attacked by Jones over the years.
A Court-Ordered End to Infowars
The acquisition, which is expected to help pay off Jones’ hefty defamation damages (amounting to nearly $1.5 billion in total awarded to Sandy Hook families), comes after years of legal battles. Sandy Hook parents had sued Jones for defamation, accusing him of causing emotional distress by repeatedly claiming the shooting was a “false flag” operation. For years, Jones broadcasted baseless lies, claiming the tragedy was staged, which caused significant harm to the families already suffering from unimaginable grief.
In the aftermath of the lawsuits, Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, and a judge permitted the liquidation of his personal assets to pay off these legal obligations. The sale of Infowars is part of the effort to pay down these debts, but it also marks the public’s growing desire to see Jones held accountable for his role in promoting conspiracy theories that have harmed countless individuals and fueled social division.
The Onion: From Satire to Serious Accountability
For those familiar with The Onion, the idea of this satirical news outlet acquiring Infowars is almost poetic. Over the years, The Onion has regularly lampooned Jones and his outlandish views, often creating parody content that mocked the very idea of Infowars and its cult-like following. The acquisition isn’t just a humorous twist, however—The Onion is making a serious statement.
According to sources close to the sale, the satirical news company plans to shut down Infowars completely and relaunch the site in a new form. The reimagined website will feature well-known humorists, internet personalities, and content creators who will provide a fresh, tongue-in-cheek take on the world of conspiracy theories and misinformation. Some have described this move as an effort to “rehabilitate” the site, not just by providing a comedic twist but also by transforming it into a platform that actively counters the type of dangerous narratives that Jones once spread.
Ben Collins, The Onion’s new CEO and former NBC News disinformation reporter, expressed that the goal was to “meaningfully hinder” Jones’ ability to continue spreading lies. In a statement, Collins said: “True accountability meant an end to Infowars. Our mission is to close this dark chapter and turn it into something that is ultimately more responsible, while still being a bit ridiculous.” The site, he hopes, will focus on addressing misinformation with humor, while maintaining an edge that keeps it entertaining for its audience.
A Victory for the Sandy Hook Families
While The Onion’s involvement in the purchase of Infowars has garnered much attention for its irony, it’s important to remember the core reason behind this acquisition: justice for the victims of Sandy Hook. Several families of those killed in the 2012 school shooting were actively involved in the process, and their legal teams played a crucial role in ensuring the sale went forward. For these families, it’s not just about the money; it’s about ending the platform that allowed Jones to inflict such damage in the first place.
Attorney Chris Mattei, representing the Connecticut families, hailed the sale as a significant victory: “By divesting Jones of Infowars’ assets, the families and the team at The Onion have done a public service. This sale will meaningfully hinder Jones’ ability to do more harm, and it shows that accountability for his actions is not only possible but essential.”
In an interesting twist, the anti-violence organization Everytown for Gun Safety has announced that it will be the exclusive advertiser in The Onion’s new venture. Their involvement marks a shift toward promoting responsible gun ownership and calling attention to the systemic issues that allow for gun violence to continue unchecked in the U.S.
What’s Next?
With the sale of Infowars, Alex Jones’ media empire is effectively being dismantled. But while Jones might be out of the media business for now, his influence will likely continue to resonate in certain corners of the internet. What’s clear is that the process of holding him accountable—financially and culturally—has already had a significant ripple effect. For the families who have suffered due to his lies, this marks a step toward closure. For the rest of us, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of media literacy, responsibility, and, perhaps most of all, the power of satire.
In the end, The Onion’s acquisition of Infowars is not just a business decision. It’s a symbolic moment in the ongoing struggle to rid our media ecosystem of harmful conspiracy theories, and a victory for those who have fought tirelessly to ensure that truth, not lies, prevails
