CONNECTICUT, USA — Satirical news outlet The Onion announced on Thursday that it successfully acquired Alex Jones’ Infowars. Hours later, a judge ordered a hearing into the sale.
The federal judge in Texas ordered this hearing after Jones and his lawyers raised questions about how the bankruptcy auction was conducted.
They allege the trustee overseeing the auction changed the process only days before, but just hours after The Onion announced it acquired Infowars, the website was shut down.
“It's just poetic justice,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “This is turning a chapter and turning a chapter on a very, very painful moment.”
Jones owes more than $1 billion dollars in defamation suit compensation to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, after he falsely claimed the shooting was a hoax.
“The families are so relieved the misinformation, the painful, cruel misinformation that has been visited upon them will be staunched,” Feinblatt said.
The families of eight Sandy Hook victims and one first responder backed a bid by The Onion to purchase Infowars’ intellectual property, including its website, customer lists and inventory, certain social media accounts and production equipment.
The Connecticut families even agreed to forgo a portion of their recovery to increase the overall value of The Onion’s bid; the exact price has not been released.
In a statement, Chris Mattei, attorney for the Connecticut plaintiffs, said, “By divesting Jones of Infowars’ assets, the families and the team at The Onion have done a public service and will meaningfully hinder Jones’ ability to do more harm.”
Infowars has long fueled misinformation and conspiracy theories, but now The Onion said it's changing that. The outlet said it will be working with Everytown to turn Infowars into a site of humor, relaunching in the new year.
“What we will basically be trying to do through this new alliance is reach all Americans. And the truth is that Americans believe in gun safety, they believe in common sense,” Feinblatt added. “Now Everytown and The Onion together will open a new chapter on Infowars and a chapter that is devoted to the issue of gun safety.”
Jones said he plans to file legal challenges against the sale.
The hearing the federal judge ordered is for next week, but the exact day and time are to be determined.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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