Current:Home > BackHow Alex Jones’ Infowars wound up in the hands of The Onion-LoTradeCoin
How Alex Jones’ Infowars wound up in the hands of The Onion
View Date:2024-12-23 16:53:18
The purchase of Alex Jones ' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction by the satirical news publication The Onion is the latest twist in a yearslong saga between the far-right conspiracy theorist and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.
The sale was ordered after relatives of many of the 20 children and six educators killed in the 2012 shooting successfully sued Jones and his company for defamation and emotional distress. Jones repeatedly made false claims on his show that the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control.
Here are some things to know about how Jones’ misinformation empire ended up on the auction block.
The rise of Infowars
Fresh out of high school in the early 1990s, Jones, a barrel-chested, gravelly voiced Texas native, started broadcasting on a public-access television channel in the state capital. From the start, Jones promoted conspiracies about the U.S. government and false claims about a secret New World Order.
In 2004, Jones had two employees and a tiny office in south Austin. In 2007, he formed Free Speech Systems, to run his growing media business, according to court records in his bankruptcy cases. By 2010, Jones had over 60 employees.
As the outlandish nature of his false claims grew, so did his media empire, with annual revenues of up to $80 million, and a fanbase that at his height listened to him on more than 100 radio stations across the United States as well as through his Infowars website and social media.
Jones’ Newtown lies
Jones has acknowledged in court that he promoted the conspiracy theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax perpetrated in part by the U.S. government as part of an effort to expand gun control. He called the parents of slain children “crisis actors” on his show and said the shooting was “phony as a three-dollar bill.”
After separate defamation lawsuits were filed in Connecticut and Texas by family members of victims, Jones acknowledged in 2022 that the shooting was “100% real” and said it was “absolutely irresponsible” to call it a hoax.
The lawsuits against Jones
Victims’ families who sued Jones said they were subjected to years of torment, threats and abuse by people who believed the lies told on his show.
Courts in Texas and Connecticut found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax and awarded the families nearly $1.5 billion in damages. In both states, the judges issued default judgments finding Jones liable without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over many documents. Juries then heard evidence and decided on the amount of damages, with judges tacking on additional penalties.
The sale of Jones’ Infowars empire
The auctions resulted from Jones’ personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022. Many of Jones’ personal assets also are being liquidated to help pay the judgment. Up for sale was everything from Jones’ studio desk to Infowars’ name, video archive, social media accounts and product trademarks. Buyers could even purchase an armored truck and video cameras.
The Onion acquired Infowars’ website; social media accounts; studio in Austin, Texas; trademarks; and video archive. The sale price was not disclosed.
After the sale was announced, Infowars’ website was down and Jones was broadcasting from what he said was a new studio location.
Jones vowed to challenge the sale and auction process in court.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
- Marilyn Monroe Lookalike Jasmine Chiswell Sets Record Straight on Surgery Claims
- Shop the Best Silicone-Free Conditioners for All Hair Types & Budgets
- North West Steps Out With Mom Kim Kardashian on the Way to Met Gala Red Carpet
- Where you retire could affect your tax bill. Here's how.
- Gisele Bündchen Gives Her Angel Wings a New Twist During Return to Met Gala Red Carpet
- How Katy Perry Honored Crown Jewel Daughter Daisy Dove During Glam Night Out in NYC
- Met Gala 2023: We’ve Never Ever Been Happier to See Sydney Sweeney
- American Idol’s Triston Harper, 16, Expecting a Baby With Wife Paris Reed
- Save Up to 46% On Vince Camuto Sandals, Heels, Sneakers, Boots, and More
Ranking
- Knicks Player Ogugua Anunoby Nearly Crashes Into Anne Hathaway and Her Son During NBA Game
- How to Watch the 2023 Met Gala
- Is Jury Duty's Ronald Gladden Single? He Says...
- Proof Pregnant Rihanna Had Met Gala 2023 on the Brain With Chanel Look
- Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
- See the Magical First Photo of Michelle Yeoh on Wicked Set
- Florence Pugh Debuts Must-See Buzzcut Hairstyle at Met Gala 2023
- Celebrate Met Gala 2023 With These Dua Lipa Fashion Moments That Will Blow Your Mind
Recommendation
-
Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
-
Savannah Chrisley Reveals She Once Dated Colton Underwood
-
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi Bring the Love and Looks to 2023 Met Gala
-
As Offshore Wind Power Grows, a Push for Transmission ‘Supergrids’
-
Wall Street makes wagers on the likely winners and losers in a second Trump term
-
Why Karl Lagerfeld's Cat Choupette Is Not Attending Met Gala 2023
-
Cara Delevingne Makes a Strong Case for Leg Warmers at the 2023 Met Gala
-
Save 36% on the It Cosmetics Buildable, Blendable, Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Sticks