The Onion’s Bid to Buy Infowars Goes Before Judge as Alex Jones Tries to Stop Sale
Auction Dispute Heats Up in Texas Court
A bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Alex Jones’ conspiracy theory platform Infowars is scheduled to return to a Texas courtroom on Monday afternoon, where a judge will decide whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run as Jones alleges collusion and fraud.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston is set to hear testimony about the November auction and how a trustee chose The Onion over the only other bidder — a company affiliated with Jones that offered twice as much money as The Onion.
The Sale of Infowars
The sale of Infowars is part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control.
Proceeds from the Sale
Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones’ personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas. Some proceeds will go to Jones’ other creditors.
The Bidding Process
The Onion offered $1.75 million for Infowars’ assets in the auction, while First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements, bid $3.5 million. The Onion’s bid also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due them to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids.
Jones’ Allegations of Collusion and Fraud
Jones and First United American Companies accused the trustee, Christopher Murray, The Onion, and the Sandy Hook families of illegally colluding on the bidding, committing fraud, and violating the judge’s rules for the auction. Murray, The Onion, and the families deny the allegations, with Murray calling them “a disappointed bidder’s improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.”
Congruence and Conclusion
The outcome of the hearing will determine whether The Onion’s bid is approved, and Infowars becomes a parody of itself under new ownership. If Jones’ allegations are found to be true, the sale could be set aside, and the auction could be re-run. The future of Infowars and Jones’ conspiracy theory platform remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
* What is the purpose of the auction? The purpose of the auction is to sell the assets of Infowars, a conspiracy theory platform owned by Alex Jones, as part of his personal bankruptcy case.
* Who is bidding on Infowars? The Onion and First United American Companies, a company affiliated with Jones, are bidding on Infowars’ assets.
* What is the controversy surrounding the auction? Jones and First United American Companies have accused the trustee, The Onion, and the Sandy Hook families of collusion and fraud, while Murray, The Onion, and the families deny these allegations.
* What is the purpose of the proceeds from the sale? The proceeds from the sale of Infowars will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas, as well as to Jones’ other creditors.
