The acquisition, supported by Sandy Hook families, aims to creatively dismantle the legacy of misinformation while promising a lighthearted rebirth of the media platform.
**The Onion's Ironic Acquisition: Infowars Changes Hands Amid Controversy**
**The Onion's Ironic Acquisition: Infowars Changes Hands Amid Controversy**
As Alex Jones' Infowars is purchased by satirical news outlet The Onion, a new phase in the battle for accountability unfolds.
In an unprecedented move, humor publication The Onion has officially acquired Infowars, the controversial outlet owned by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, at a court-mandated auction for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is backed by the families of victims from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, who successfully secured a landmark $1.5 billion (£1.18 billion) defamation judgment against Jones for his false claims surrounding the tragedy.
Following a judge's auction order in September, various parties expressed interest in acquiring the beleaguered Infowars, founded by Jones in 1999. Despite his legal battles, Jones vowed to continue broadcasting under a different guise, asserting in a video message that the sale represents a grave infringement on free speech. "This is the tyranny of the New World Order, desperate to silence the American people," he claimed.
In response to the acquisition, The Onion's leadership has articulated ambitious plans to rejuvenate the notorious Infowars brand, bringing in prominent humorists and internet figures to create a platform defined by laughter rather than indignation. Chief Executive Ben Collins, formerly of NBC News, emphasized the intention to transform the site into "a very funny, very stupid website."
Interestingly, The Onion's announcement included a tongue-in-cheek piece detailing how Infowars “has shown an unswerving commitment to manufacturing anger and radicalizing the most vulnerable members of society”. The satirical outlet highlighted its triumph over Jones, implying his sale was a bargain at "less than one trillion dollars."
Support from legal representatives for Sandy Hook victims underlines the broader social implications of this acquisition. Chris Mattei, attorney for several victim families, highlighted the importance of this sale in restricting Jones' ability to propagate harm. One grieving father remarked, “The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability,” celebrating the step toward dismantling Jones' reach.
The Infowars franchise, notorious for its blend of conspiracy and sensationalist programming, thrived notably in the Trump era, gaining substantial viewership and even earning endorsements from political allies. However, its downfall was precipitated by relentless defamation lawsuits initiated by Sandy Hook families after Jones perpetuated false narratives claiming the school shooting was staged.
Constant harassment of bereaved families by Jones's followers further stained the platform's legacy, leading to the eventual revelations of the real consequences of his rhetoric. While Jones continues to assert that his free speech rights protect him, legal judgments have forced significant financial repercussions, culminating in his 2022 bankruptcy declaration.
As Jones grapples with the fallout from the Sandy Hook case, The Onion's takeover signifies not only a shift in ownership but also a cultural statement regarding accountability and the role of media in shaping public discourse.
Following a judge's auction order in September, various parties expressed interest in acquiring the beleaguered Infowars, founded by Jones in 1999. Despite his legal battles, Jones vowed to continue broadcasting under a different guise, asserting in a video message that the sale represents a grave infringement on free speech. "This is the tyranny of the New World Order, desperate to silence the American people," he claimed.
In response to the acquisition, The Onion's leadership has articulated ambitious plans to rejuvenate the notorious Infowars brand, bringing in prominent humorists and internet figures to create a platform defined by laughter rather than indignation. Chief Executive Ben Collins, formerly of NBC News, emphasized the intention to transform the site into "a very funny, very stupid website."
Interestingly, The Onion's announcement included a tongue-in-cheek piece detailing how Infowars “has shown an unswerving commitment to manufacturing anger and radicalizing the most vulnerable members of society”. The satirical outlet highlighted its triumph over Jones, implying his sale was a bargain at "less than one trillion dollars."
Support from legal representatives for Sandy Hook victims underlines the broader social implications of this acquisition. Chris Mattei, attorney for several victim families, highlighted the importance of this sale in restricting Jones' ability to propagate harm. One grieving father remarked, “The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability,” celebrating the step toward dismantling Jones' reach.
The Infowars franchise, notorious for its blend of conspiracy and sensationalist programming, thrived notably in the Trump era, gaining substantial viewership and even earning endorsements from political allies. However, its downfall was precipitated by relentless defamation lawsuits initiated by Sandy Hook families after Jones perpetuated false narratives claiming the school shooting was staged.
Constant harassment of bereaved families by Jones's followers further stained the platform's legacy, leading to the eventual revelations of the real consequences of his rhetoric. While Jones continues to assert that his free speech rights protect him, legal judgments have forced significant financial repercussions, culminating in his 2022 bankruptcy declaration.
As Jones grapples with the fallout from the Sandy Hook case, The Onion's takeover signifies not only a shift in ownership but also a cultural statement regarding accountability and the role of media in shaping public discourse.
