Satirical News Site The Onion Bids to Acquire Infowars in Surprising Turn of Events
In an unexpected twist, the satirical news website The Onion has emerged as the leading bidder to acquire Infowars, the controversial media platform founded by Alex Jones. What initially appeared to be another of The Onion’s trademark jokes has been revealed as a strategic move involving Sandy Hook families and a nonprofit backed by Michael Bloomberg.
The auction for Infowars was prompted by Alex Jones’s loss in a defamation lawsuit and subsequent bankruptcy filing. The Onion’s CEO, Ben Collins, collaborated with lawyers representing Sandy Hook families to craft the winning bid. These families joined the effort to prevent Jones from regaining control of the platform.
Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit supported by Michael Bloomberg, has thrown its weight behind the reimagined Infowars. John Feinblatt, President of Everytown, expressed enthusiasm for the potential synergy with The Onion’s advocacy against gun violence.
However, the auction process has not been without controversy. Texas bankruptcy judge Christopher Lopez voiced concerns about transparency and procedures. First United American Companies, the backup bidder, raised issues about the lack of shared offers between rival bidders.
If successful, The Onion plans to transform Infowars into a parody hub for “alt-media.” This would include a new website separate from The Onion and ownership of Jones’s broadcasting and supplement assets. Collins envisions parodying previously unmocked “alt-media” figures.
The auction is part of a larger asset liquidation following Jones’s $1.5 billion defamation suit loss. Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy in 2022. Notably, Elon Musk’s X was involved in the hearing regarding ownership of Jones’s account.
Collins emphasized The Onion’s role in combating misinformation through humor, stating, “We believe our brand of satire can cut through the noise and highlight the absurdity of extremist rhetoric.”
As of now, the sale is still pending standard processes. This unexpected development continues to unfold, potentially reshaping the landscape of both satirical and alternative media.
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