The satirical news outlet The Onion has proposed taking over the platforms of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars, as his company faces liquidation due to more than $1 billion in defamation judgments owed to relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. According to multiple reports, The Onion submitted a proposal to a state judge in Texas, seeking an exclusive, temporary license to Infowars' intellectual property.
Key Takeaways
The Onion has proposed taking over Infowars' platforms through a licensing deal while Alex Jones faces liquidation due to defamation judgments related to Sandy Hook conspiracy theories. The satirical outlet aims to turn Infowars into a parody site for six months, with an option to renew.
- The Onion submitted a proposal for exclusive temporary license of Infowars' intellectual property
- Deal would allow The Onion to publish its content on Infowars' platforms for up to one year
- Alex Jones plans to continue broadcasting under a new name and studio if the deal is approved
- Sandy Hook families support The Onion's plan, which would turn Infowars into a force for social good
- Defamation lawsuits against Jones stem from his claims that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax
The deal would allow The Onion to put its own content on Infowars' website and social media accounts. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion, told CBS News that the arrangement could be in place by April 30 if approved by Judge Maya Guerra Gamble. The Onion has already hired people, including comedian Tim Heidecker, to run Infowars as a parody site.
The licensing deal is for six months, with an option to renew for another six months while a court-appointed receiver works to sell the assets of Infowars' parent company, Free Speech Systems. The Onion would pay $81,000 a month to cover rent and other costs associated with Infowars' studios.
Alex Jones has vowed to fight the licensing proposal in court but acknowledged he could be kicked out of his current studio by the end of the month. He plans to continue broadcasting under a new name and from another studio, according to NPR. The Sandy Hook families who sued Jones support The Onion's plan, as it would turn Infowars into a force for social good.
The defamation lawsuits against Jones stem from his claims that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax staged by 'crisis actors' to increase gun control. A jury and judge awarded the families more than $1.4 billion in damages, with additional awards in separate lawsuits. Jones has appealed these judgments.
The Onion's proposal comes after a bankruptcy auction for Infowars' assets was thrown out due to procedural issues. The attempt to sell off Infowars' assets moved to state court in Texas, where Judge Guerra Gamble appointed a receiver to liquidate the company's assets. Jones is also appealing that ruling.
According to BBC, Alex Jones has reportedly said he will resist the new effort by The Onion. Jones declared bankruptcy in 2022 as the Sandy Hook case made its way to court, and in June 2024, a judge ordered the liquidation of his personal assets.
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