The Onion wins Alex Jones' Infowars in bankruptcy auction
NBCNov 12
Judge Postpones Sale of InfoWars to The Onion
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Above: In this photo illustration, The Onion website is displayed on a computer screen, showing a satirical story titled Here’s Why I Decided To Buy ‘InfoWars’, on Nov. 14, 2024, in Pasadena, California. Image copyright: Mario Tama/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A federal bankruptcy judge Monday left in limbo the sale of InfoWars, which was formerly owned by Alex Jones, to the satirical website The Onion until an evidentiary hearing can be held at a date to be determined next month.
The bankruptcy stems from a $1.5B defamation judgment against Jones for calling the Sandy Hook school shooting a hoax, with liquidation proceeds earmarked for creditors — including victims' families — leading to the forced sale of the company.
The Spin
Left narrative
The Onion has a chance to take this dangerous website and turn it into something nice by transforming Jones' old platform of harmful conspiracy theories into a hub of satire and truth-telling humor. By replacing Jones' damaging lies with sharp, impactful wit, The Onion will ensure that disinformation no longer profits off tragedy.
Right narrative
Regardless of anyone's opinion of Jones, he deserves the same due process as anyone else. The people behind this lawsuit are from an anti-gun rights organization, and they're using The Onion as a front to push their political agenda. Since the "winning parties" knew they would lose the auction, they made an illegal backroom deal with the government to ensure their bid would win.
