The Onion, the satirical news company that repeatedly spoofed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, has won the bankruptcy auction for control over his media empire — most notably InfoWars, the far-right, conspiracy-minded website that served as Jones’ primary online platform. The auction took place on Wednesday, November 14, 2024, and saw several bidders vying for control of the company, including Jones' supporters. However, The Onion's bid was ultimately successful, backed by the families of eight victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and one first responder.

The Onion's acquisition of Infowars marks a significant victory for those who have been fighting against the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories. The satirical news outlet has a long history of holding powerful figures accountable, and its acquisition of Infowars is a testament to its commitment to truth and justice.

The sale of Infowars is a result of Jones' ongoing legal battles with the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims. In 2022, Jones was found liable for defamation and ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the families, who claimed he had spread false and harmful conspiracy theories about the shooting. Jones' inability to pay the damages led to his bankruptcy filing, and ultimately the auction of his media empire.

The auction of Infowars included everything from the platform's studio equipment, online dietary supplement store, a Terradyne armored truck, its social media accounts and even a Winnebago motorhome.

The Onion's Plans for Infowars

The Onion plans to shutter Jones' InfoWars and rebuild the website featuring well-known internet humor writers and content creators. The Onion has also announced that its “exclusive launch advertiser” will be the gun violence prevention organization Everytown for Gun Safety, which will be the exclusive advertiser in The Onion’s new venture as part of a multiyear agreement. This move signifies a new direction for the platform, with a focus on factual reporting and promoting positive change.

The Families' Perspective

The sale of Infowars to The Onion is a victory for the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims, who have been fighting for justice and accountability for years. Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was killed in the shooting, said in a statement that “the dissolution of Alex Jones’ assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for.”

The families have agreed to forgo a portion of their recovery in order to increase the overall value of The Onion’s bid and enable its success. Their lawyers have stated that they wanted to ensure that Jones would no longer be able to spread lies and harm others.

Jones' Response

Jones responded angrily to the sale of Infowars, claiming that the auction was rigged against him and that he would continue to broadcast his show on new platforms. He has also threatened to file legal challenges to stop the sale.

Despite the loss of his media empire, Jones is vowing to continue his work as a conspiracy theorist. He has already set up new websites and social media accounts and says he will continue to spread his message, regardless of the challenges he faces. However, his ability to reach a large audience will be significantly limited without the reach of Infowars.

The Future of Infowars

The Onion's acquisition of Infowars marks a significant moment in the fight against misinformation. By taking control of the platform, The Onion is taking a stand against the spread of harmful lies and conspiracy theories. The new direction of the website will be one of truth and accountability, with a focus on promoting positive change.

With the sale of Infowars, Alex Jones' media empire has come to an end. However, his impact on American culture and politics will continue to be felt for years to come. It remains to be seen how The Onion will transform the website and whether it will be successful in promoting truth and justice.

A New Era for Infowars: The Onion's Takeover

While Jones has claimed that his followers will continue to support him, the future of Infowars is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether The Onion will be able to successfully repurpose the platform and turn it into a credible source of information. This will likely require significant effort, as Infowars has a long history of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories.

The Onion's takeover of Infowars has the potential to be a positive development for the fight against misinformation, but it also raises questions about the future of the platform and the impact it will have on the public discourse. Only time will tell whether The Onion will be able to successfully transform Infowars into a force for good.