On Thursday, The Onion, a well-known leftist satirical publication, announced it had successfully acquired Infowars, a controversial media outlet founded by Alex Jones in 1999, through a bankruptcy auction. This development comes amid ongoing financial distress for Jones and his operations, which have faced substantial criticism and legal consequences following a devastating defamation lawsuit related to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. In a social media post, Jones revealed that his legal representatives had informed him about an imminent shutdown of Infowars, facilitated by The Onion and described as a “shut down without a court order.” The situation highlights the surreal intersection of satire and serious consequences as a notorious figure in the alternative media scene is stripped of control over his platform.
The Onion conveyed to the New York Times that their bid to acquire Infowars was influenced by the victims’ families in the Sandy Hook case, who had secured a staggering $1.4 billion in damages against Jones due to his defamatory claims regarding the tragedy. However, the publication didn’t disclose the amount paid for Infowars or its operational assets—including a production studio and a supplement business. Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, plans to relaunch Infowars in January as a parody of itself, aiming to satirize absurdities in internet culture. This transition underscores a strategic pivot not only for The Onion but also shows the potential for using humor to challenge extremist ideologies.
In a mocking tone characteristic of its brand, The Onion stated that initial funds from the acquisition would be redirected to philanthropic efforts—including unique, albeit ironic, initiatives like business school scholarships for cult leaders, and a program to match orphans with factory jobs. The satire encapsulates a broader critique of commercial ethics, emphasizing that if prolonging a CEO’s life is so crucial, it would be immoral to sell the controversial health products Infowars has historically marketed. Instead, they plan to repurpose available stock into a singular ‘omnivitamin,’ pushing the envelope of satire as they take control of a brand synonymous with conspiracy theories.
Looking to the future, Infowars under The Onion may also may provide a platform for Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit organization focused on gun control efforts, to advertise its messaging. Collins declined to disclose the financial details of the agreement, but confirmed it is a multiyear arrangement including both digital ad placements and sponsored content. This suggests a significant shift in content strategy for the new Infowars, blending commercial purposes with a social message aiming to educate and possibly change public perceptions regarding gun violence and safety.
Everytown’s president, John Feinblatt, expressed that this acquisition presents an opportunity to leverage The Onion’s creative capabilities to convey critical messaging about gun safety, marrying facts and storytelling in a manner palatable for wider audiences. This collaboration signifies a notable shift where humor and serious dialogues about contentious issues intersect, potentially reaching new demographics who may not typically engage with gun safety narratives through traditional media outlets. Further, Collins indicated that the revamped Infowars may produce satirical content focusing on gun violence, thus reorienting the site’s narrative towards accountability and awareness through humor.
Sandy Hook families’ lawyer, Chris Mattei, welcomed the news, characterizing the acquisition of Infowars as a vital step towards holding Alex Jones accountable for his actions. By transferring ownership away from Jones, the families, alongside The Onion, hope to mitigate the potential harm his platforms could inflict going forward. In the background, plans for Infowars’ revival are reminiscent of Clickhole, The Onion’s sibling site known for its humorous take on viral media, highlighting the potential for a humorous yet critical lens on undercurrents of American culture that the original Infowars had exploited. This transition reflects broader themes of accountability and the necessary interplay of satire and serious discourse in navigating the complex media landscape of contemporary society.
