Judge Rejects The Onion’s Bid to Acquire Alex Jones’ Infowars
In a dramatic turn of events, a bankruptcy judge has rejected the winning bid by satirical news outlet The Onion to purchase Alex Jones’ controversial Infowars platform. The decision, handed down late Tuesday by Judge Christopher Lopez of the Southern District of Texas, raises questions about the future of Jones’ embattled media empire.
The auction was part of bankruptcy proceedings for Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, which faced liquidation after Jones’ defamation judgments tied to his false claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a hoax.
Judge Lopez cited concerns with the auction process, stating it “simply did not maximize value” for the sale. While acknowledging that The Onion’s bid—valued at $7 million—was made in good faith, Lopez argued that a lack of transparency and clarity had undermined its legitimacy.
Controversial Auction Process
The auction had drawn two competing offers. The Onion, through its parent company Global Tetrahedron, proposed $1.75 million in cash, backed by a pledge from the Sandy Hook families to forgo their portion of the proceeds. This arrangement effectively elevated the bid’s value to $7 million. Meanwhile, a $3.5 million cash bid came from First United American Companies, a group tied to Jones and his profitable nutritional supplement business.
The process, initially slated as a live auction, was later altered to sealed bids—a change that prompted Jones and his affiliates to challenge The Onion’s “Frankenstein” bid. Their lawsuit sparked a two-day court hearing, culminating in Lopez’s decision late Tuesday night.
Lopez took issue with the trustee’s handling of the auction, noting that bidders were unaware of their competitors’ offers. “The trustee left a lot of money on the table, or potential for a lot of negotiation on the table,” he said, emphasising that the process failed to secure the platform’s maximum value.
Ongoing Fallout for Jones
The decision represents yet another chapter in Jones’ long-running legal and financial troubles. After being ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook victims, Jones has consistently delayed payment while continuing to spend heavily on personal expenses.
Infowars’ assets – ranging from studio equipment and social media accounts to an online supplements store and even an armoured vehicle—are on the auction block as part of the effort to recover funds. Despite the ruling, Judge Lopez did not outline a clear path forward for the platform’s sale, instructing the trustee to reassess the process.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion, expressed disappointment over the ruling but vowed to continue pursuing a resolution. “We remain committed to helping the Sandy Hook families achieve a positive outcome for the horror they endured,” he said. “We will also continue to seek a path towards purchasing Infowars.”
Christopher Mattei, attorney for the Connecticut families, echoed similar sentiments, praising the families’ resilience despite repeated delays. “This decision doesn’t change the fact that Alex Jones will begin to pay his debt,” Mattei asserted.
Jones, however, celebrated the ruling on his show, labelling the auction process “fraudulent” and claiming victory.
What Lies Ahead for Infowars?
While Lopez ruled against reopening the auction for now, the ultimate fate of Infowars remains uncertain. Regardless of the platform’s eventual sale, Jones continues to face a massive financial obligation to the Sandy Hook families, a burden he has yet to meaningfully address.
As legal proceedings drag on, the case serves as a reminder of the profound consequences of misinformation – and the ongoing efforts to hold its peddlers accountable.
