In a surprising legal twist, a US bankruptcy judge has rejected the proposed sale of Alex Jones’s infamous Infowars platform to the satirical news outlet The Onion. The decision followed a two-day hearing where Judge Christopher Lopez reviewed the auction process, ultimately deeming it flawed.
Despite claims from Jones that the auction was plagued by “collusion,” the judge dismissed these allegations, instead pointing to procedural mistakes that affected the outcome. Here’s a closer look at what went wrong and what’s next in this high-profile case.
The auction, designed to liquidate Infowars as part of bankruptcy proceedings, ended with The Onion securing a bid. This was reportedly supported by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, who won a historic $1.5 billion defamation case against Jones for his false claims about the tragedy.
Judge Lopez ruled that the auction process was mishandled. He criticized the court-appointed trustee for failing to encourage competitive bidding between The Onion and a company tied to Jones’s supplement business.
“This should have been reopened to allow for better offers from all parties,” Judge Lopez stated, adding that while the trustee acted in good faith, the error undermined the integrity of the auction.
Alex Jones, who has long been a controversial figure in the media world, celebrated the decision. Speaking on Infowars, he called the auction “ridiculous” and “fraudulent.”
On the other hand, The Onion expressed deep disappointment. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, vowed to continue pursuing the purchase of Infowars.
“We are deeply disappointed in today’s ruling but remain committed to acquiring Infowars,” Collins shared on social media.
Alex Jones, once a fringe broadcaster in Texas, gained widespread notoriety for promoting conspiracy theories. His platform, Infowars, became a hub for misinformation, often blending speculation with outright fabrications.
The company’s financial collapse traces back to Jones’s false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
After the tragic event, in which 20 children and six educators lost their lives, Jones repeatedly pushed baseless conspiracy theories. He claimed the massacre was staged and described it as a “giant hoax.” In one infamous broadcast, he suggested the attack was “synthetic” and involved “actors.”
These statements led to years of harassment for the victims’ families. Some supporters of Jones’s theories even sent death threats, desecrated graves, and posted personal information about the victims’ families online.
The families of the Sandy Hook victims took Jones to court, resulting in one of the largest defamation rulings in US history. In 2022, Jones declared bankruptcy after the court ordered him to pay $1.5 billion in damages.
Further legal action in 2024 mandated the liquidation of Jones’s personal assets, including properties, vehicles, and a multimillion-dollar ranch valued at $8.6 million. The auction of Infowars was a part of this liquidation process.
While the court rejected the sale to The Onion, the future of Infowars remains uncertain. Judge Lopez’s decision to void the auction opens the door for a new round of bidding. This could involve Jones’s affiliates, other media companies, or even renewed efforts by The Onion.
For now, Alex Jones continues to broadcast on Infowars, despite its financial struggles and tarnished reputation.
This case highlights the lasting consequences of spreading false information, particularly about sensitive topics like mass tragedies. It also underscores the challenges of holding influential figures accountable in the digital age.
As the saga unfolds, one thing is clear: the fight over Infowars is far from over. Whether the platform changes hands or continues under Jones’s control, its legacy as a hub for misinformation is likely to cast a long shadow.
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