Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business.
Judge Rejects The Onion’s Bid to Purchase Alex Jones’s Infowars
A U.S. bankruptcy judge has rejected parody news platform The Onion’s attempt to purchase Alex Jones’s controversial Infowars website. The ruling follows an auction that Judge Christopher Lopez described as mishandled but not fraudulent, rejecting Jones’s claims of "collusion."
The Onion, known for its satirical content, had partnered with the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims who previously won a $1.5 billion defamation lawsuit against Jones to back its bid for Infowars. Despite this collaboration, the judge ruled the auction process did not encourage competitive bidding and failed to secure the best possible deal.
The Controversial Auction: A Bidder’s Showdown
The auction for Infowars became a high-profile event as it pitted The Onion against a company tied to Jones’s supplement-selling businesses. The bankruptcy trustee managing the auction faced criticism for failing to facilitate a final round of bidding. Judge Lopez ruled that this was a "good-faith error" and suggested the auction should have been reopened to attract more competitive offers.
“This should have been opened back up, and it should have been opened back up for everybody,” Lopez stated.
Why The Onion Wanted Infowars
The Onion’s interest in acquiring Infowars was part of a broader strategy to dismantle the platform’s legacy of conspiracy theories and misinformation. The satirical news outlet, with backing from Sandy Hook families, aimed to transform Infowars from a hub of harmful falsehoods into a platform for transparency and accountability.
Despite the setback, The Onion's parent company, Global Tetrahedron, has vowed to continue efforts to purchase Infowars. "We are deeply disappointed in today's decision," said Ben Collins, CEO of Global Tetrahedron.
Judge Rules on Auction Errors but Dismisses Collusion Claims
While Alex Jones celebrated the ruling as a victory, claiming the auction process was "ridiculous" and "fraudulent," the court found no evidence of collusion. Instead, Judge Lopez pointed to procedural flaws, particularly the failure to allow more competitive bidding, as the reason for rejecting the sale.
The Sandy Hook Defamation Fallout: Jones’s Financial Collapse
Infowars and Jones’s financial troubles are rooted in years of defamatory broadcasts about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, where 20 children and six staff members were killed. Jones repeatedly claimed the tragedy was a hoax, calling it "synthetic" and "manufactured," while peddling baseless conspiracy theories.
His comments fueled harassment campaigns against the families of the victims, with some facing threats, doxxing, and even people traveling to Newtown to investigate the conspiracies. In response, the families filed defamation lawsuits, leading to multi-billion-dollar judgments against Jones.
Jones declared bankruptcy in 2022 as the legal battles intensified. His personal assets, including a multimillion-dollar ranch, cars, and other luxury items valued at $8.6 million, were ordered liquidated earlier this year.
What’s Next for Infowars and Its Future Ownership?
The fate of Infowars remains uncertain following the judge’s decision. The ruling has left the door open for a new auction or revised sale process. Meanwhile, The Onion’s plans to overhaul the platform may not be entirely off the table as it continues its pursuit.
This case underscores the broader reckoning for Alex Jones and his brand, which became infamous for spreading falsehoods and sowing distrust in public institutions. As legal and financial pressures mount, Infowars’ future hangs in the balance, with its next chapter potentially reshaping its legacy.
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