A U.S. bankruptcy judge recently halted the sale of Alex Jones’s Infowars platform to the satirical news site The Onion, ruling that the auction process did not produce the best possible bids. The decision by Judge Christopher Lopez followed concerns that the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee rushed the bidding process, ultimately reducing competition between The Onion and another bidder, First American United Companies, which is connected to Jones’s supplement business.
However, Judge Lopez dismissed Jones’s claims of “collusion” during the auction, stating that while the process was flawed, it was conducted in good faith. Lopez described the trustee’s decision to swiftly request final offers as a “good-faith error,” believing that more rounds of bidding could have produced a better outcome. While the sale was blocked, Lopez did not call for a new auction but left the next steps to the trustee.
Jones Retains Infowars Headquarters
With the judge’s decision, Jones retains control over Infowars and its Austin, Texas headquarters, preventing The Onion from evicting him. The satirical news site had planned to rebrand Infowars as a parody in January. As the platform remains under Jones’s control, it continues to promote the controversial conspiracy theories that have caused widespread harm, including the false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.
Judge Lopez noted that the auction should have allowed more time for competitive bids. However, he chose not to order a new round of bidding, leaving the decision in the hands of the trustee to determine the next steps.
Disappointment from Sandy Hook Families
The families of the Sandy Hook victims, who had supported The Onion’s bid, expressed their disappointment in the ruling. Christopher Mattei, representing the families, emphasized that this setback would not deter them from holding Jones accountable. He stated, “These families have faced many obstacles, but they remain committed to ensuring that Alex Jones is held responsible for the harm he caused.”
Jones faces nearly $1.5 billion in damages from defamation lawsuits filed by the families after he falsely claimed that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. The families of the 20 children and six educators killed in the attack have been at the center of these legal battles, seeking justice for the emotional and physical toll caused by Jones’s lies.
Auction Process Under Scrutiny
In the bankruptcy auction, The Onion emerged as the highest bidder with a $7 million offer, including contributions from Sandy Hook families to ensure other creditors would be compensated. First American United Companies, the second-highest bidder, revised its offer, but it was met with objections from the Sandy Hook families.
Trustee Christopher Murray defended the auction process, claiming that no bias was shown toward any bidder. However, Judge Lopez pointed out that the auction could have been managed better to ensure a more favorable outcome for creditors and victims. Despite the setback, The Onion remains determined to secure Infowars in the future. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to helping the Sandy Hook families achieve justice.
Jones Dismisses Auction as Fraudulent
Jones, on the other hand, celebrated the judge’s decision, calling the auction process “fraudulent” and “ridiculous.” His legal team suggested that the Sandy Hook defamation verdicts could still be overturned on appeal, potentially weakening the financial foundation of The Onion’s bid.
The auctioneer, Jeff Tanenbaum, defended the legitimacy of the bidding process, asserting that both offers were carefully evaluated. Nevertheless, Jones’s defiant stance shows his ongoing resistance to the legal actions surrounding his platform and its harmful rhetoric.
The Legacy of Infowars
Infowars, which started in the 1990s as a fringe outlet, grew into one of the most influential platforms for conspiracy theories. It has attracted millions of followers, primarily through its promotion of products like dietary supplements. However, its reputation has been permanently tarnished by Jones’s unfounded claims regarding the Sandy Hook tragedy. These false accusations sparked widespread harassment of the victims’ families, including threats and online abuse, creating lasting emotional trauma.
Although Jones later admitted the shooting was real, the damage was irreversible. His conspiracy theories fueled the harassment, leading to multiple arrests and years of emotional distress for the grieving families.
