Current:Home > reviewsHow Alex Jones’ Infowars wound up in the hands of The Onion -SummitInvest
How Alex Jones’ Infowars wound up in the hands of The Onion
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:01:38
The purchase of Alex Jones ' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction by the satirical news publication The Onion is the latest twist in a yearslong saga between the far-right conspiracy theorist and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.
The sale was ordered after relatives of many of the 20 children and six educators killed in the 2012 shooting successfully sued Jones and his company for defamation and emotional distress. Jones repeatedly made false claims on his show that the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control.
Here are some things to know about how Jones’ misinformation empire ended up on the auction block.
The rise of Infowars
Fresh out of high school in the early 1990s, Jones, a barrel-chested, gravelly voiced Texas native, started broadcasting on a public-access television channel in the state capital. From the start, Jones promoted conspiracies about the U.S. government and false claims about a secret New World Order.
In 2004, Jones had two employees and a tiny office in south Austin. In 2007, he formed Free Speech Systems, to run his growing media business, according to court records in his bankruptcy cases. By 2010, Jones had over 60 employees.
As the outlandish nature of his false claims grew, so did his media empire, with annual revenues of up to $80 million, and a fanbase that at his height listened to him on more than 100 radio stations across the United States as well as through his Infowars website and social media.
Jones’ Newtown lies
Jones has acknowledged in court that he promoted the conspiracy theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax perpetrated in part by the U.S. government as part of an effort to expand gun control. He called the parents of slain children “crisis actors” on his show and said the shooting was “phony as a three-dollar bill.”
After separate defamation lawsuits were filed in Connecticut and Texas by family members of victims, Jones acknowledged in 2022 that the shooting was “100% real” and said it was “absolutely irresponsible” to call it a hoax.
The lawsuits against Jones
Victims’ families who sued Jones said they were subjected to years of torment, threats and abuse by people who believed the lies told on his show.
Courts in Texas and Connecticut found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax and awarded the families nearly $1.5 billion in damages. In both states, the judges issued default judgments finding Jones liable without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over many documents. Juries then heard evidence and decided on the amount of damages, with judges tacking on additional penalties.
The sale of Jones’ Infowars empire
The auctions resulted from Jones’ personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022. Many of Jones’ personal assets also are being liquidated to help pay the judgment. Up for sale was everything from Jones’ studio desk to Infowars’ name, video archive, social media accounts and product trademarks. Buyers could even purchase an armored truck and video cameras.
The Onion acquired Infowars’ website; social media accounts; studio in Austin, Texas; trademarks; and video archive. The sale price was not disclosed.
After the sale was announced, Infowars’ website was down and Jones was broadcasting from what he said was a new studio location.
Jones vowed to challenge the sale and auction process in court.
veryGood! (53421)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Ferry that ran aground off the Swedish coast and leaked oil reported back in harbor
- 'All the Light We Cannot See' is now a Netflix series. You're better off reading the book
- Netanyahu has sidestepped accountability for failing to prevent Hamas attack, instead blaming others
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Cover crops help the climate and environment but most farmers say no. Many fear losing money
- An Ohio amendment serves as a testing ground for statewide abortion fights expected in 2024
- Friends Director Says Cast Was Destroyed After Matthew Perry's Death
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- New Study Warns of an Imminent Spike of Planetary Warming and Deepens Divides Among Climate Scientists
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Virginia governor orders schools to disclose details of school-related drug overdoses
- Senate sidesteps Tuberville’s hold and confirms new Navy head, first female on Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Corey Seager, Marcus Semien showed why they're the 'backbone' of Rangers' World Series win
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- 'Friends' co-creators tell NPR they will remember Matthew Perry for his heart
- Psst, Lululemon Just Restocked Fan Faves, Dropped a New Collection & Added to We Made Too Much
- Nigeria’s government budgets for SUVs and president’s wife while millions struggle to make ends meet
Recommendation
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim Reacts to Chrishell Stause and Marie-Lou Nurk Feud
Iowa couple stunned after winning $250,000 lottery prize
Hold the olive oil! Prices of some basic European foodstuffs keep skyrocketing
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
The Best Gifts That Only Look Expensive But Won’t Break the Bank
Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war is a political test in South Florida’s Jewish community
Michael Phelps and Pregnant Wife Nicole Reveal Sex of Baby No. 4