Another legal battle over the future of Alex Jones’ media platform, Infowars, is set to resume in a Texas courtroom this week amid accusations of fraud and collusion in the sale of the site.
Last month’s auction saw The Onion offer $1.75 million for all of Infowars’ assets, far below the $3.5 million bid from a company linked to Alex Jones, according to WFAA News. Jones and First United American Companies claim the auction was rigged to favor The Onion from the start, alleging illegal coordination with the Sandy Hook families and the auction trustee.
The Sandy Hook families, who won defamation lawsuits against Jones for his alleged false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, are set to receive much of the proceeds from the recent auction.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the victims’ families first filed complaints against the radio host for spreading claims that they were part of a staged false flag operation to promote gun control. Jones has consistently denied the reality of the Sandy Hook tragedy for years, as showcased by viral documentaries such as HBO’s The Truth vs. Alex Jones.
In 2022, Jones filed for bankruptcy in response to the lawsuits, unable to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation damages to the victims’ families. As part of his bankruptcy proceedings, the Infowars assets, including its Austin-based studio, websites, and associated social media platforms, were put up for a legally mandated auction.
At the heart of the recent controversy is the claim by The Onion that their lower bid would ultimately benefit the creditors more than the higher offer.
The Onion’s bid reportedly included a commitment from Sandy Hook families to waive part of their payout, directing additional funds toward “other creditors.” After the auction, Trustee Christopher Murray, overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings, chose The Onion’s bid, arguing it was in the best interest of all creditors, reported WFAA.
As the legal drama unfolds for Jones, the sale of Infowars’ assets remains uncertain. If the court upholds the auction’s outcome, The Onion plans to turn the platform’s far-right conspiracy-themed content into a parody, a move that Jones has openly been against.
A somewhat satirical recent post to The Onion reads, “All told, the decision to acquire InfoWars was an easy one. … All will be revealed in due time. For now, let’s enjoy this win and toast to the continued consolidation of power and capital.”
In anticipation of possibly losing his flagship media platform, Jones has already established alternative outlets and social media accounts to ensure his broadcasts continue.