In a twist worthy of its own headlines, satirical news giant The Onion has purchased Alex Jones’ infamous media platform, InfoWars, at a bankruptcy auction. The move marks the end of an era for the conspiracy-laden brand and ushers in a new chapter where satire will reign supreme.
The acquisition comes in the wake of Alex Jones’ financial downfall. The bombastic founder of InfoWars owes over $1 billion in damages to families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims. Jones was sued for defamation after claiming the massacre was a hoax, a narrative he pushed for years on his platform.
The Onion’s purchase includes the InfoWars website, its Texas studio, social media accounts, trademarks, and a treasure trove of video archives. The satirical publication plans to transform InfoWars into a parody of its former self, turning its notorious conspiracy theories into biting humor.
In a dramatic farewell, Jones took to the airwaves for what could be his final InfoWars broadcast. From the familiar confines of the Texas studio, he warned followers that “Democrats are on their way to the building to shut InfoWars down.” Jones shared a live feed on X (formerly Twitter), dubbing the situation a “Critical Emergency Broadcast.”
“Last broadcast now live from InfoWars studios. They are in the building. Are ordering shutdown without court approval,” Jones posted Thursday morning. Despite his defiance, the handover was already in motion.
While the exact winning bid remains undisclosed, it’s clear that The Onion wasn’t the highest bidder. According to NPR, the auction’s terms allowed the U.S. trustee to award the brand to the “highest or otherwise best bid.” This discretionary clause meant that The Onion could secure InfoWars despite not offering the most money.
A source close to the auction revealed that Jones’ allies had submitted a seven-figure bid in an attempt to retain control of the platform. However, their efforts fell short, signaling the end of Jones’ direct influence over the controversial media outlet.
According to NBC News, The Onion plans to shut down InfoWars temporarily as it rebuilds the site.
Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was among the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting, expressed a sense of justice in the sale. “The dissolution of Alex Jones’ assets and the death of InfoWars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for,” Parker said in a statement to the Associated Press.
The Onion wasted no time announcing its first major advertiser under the new regime: Everytown for Gun Safety. The anti-gun violence organization will use InfoWars’ channels to promote awareness and advocate for “gun reform.”
“Everytown will continue to raise awareness on InfoWars’ channels about gun violence prevention and present actual solutions to our nation’s gun violence crisis,” the company said in a statement.
However, Alex Jones isn’t going down without a fight. Shortly after the sale was announced, Jones revealed his plans to challenge the purchase in court. Additionally, he has launched the Alex Jones Network, a new platform designed to continue his brand of commentary.
In a recent post, Jones doubled down, stating, “The fight for free speech and against globalist tyranny is far from over.” He has promised his followers that his voice will remain loud and unfiltered.
Under The Onion’s stewardship, InfoWars is set to become a satirical website, poking fun at the very narratives that once fueled its rise.
As the dust settles, one thing is certain: the InfoWars of tomorrow will be unlike anything its former fans—or critics—could have imagined.
