What happens when a fake news satire company tries to take over one of the internet’s most famous conspiracy platforms? That question has become increasingly relevant as The Onion has publicly pushed back against InfoWars and the misinformation spread by Alex Jones. Jones has used InfoWars to promote conspiracy theories about events such as the Sandy Hooks Elementary School shooting, which has caused financial trouble for Jones. Now, The Onion has attempted to acquire InfoWars and turn it into a satirical platform.
InfoWars is a far-right media website created by Alex Jones that became primarily known for promoting conspiracy theories and controversial political commentary. Alex Jones has made a name for himself by circulating anti-government conspiracy theories.
Jones’s most notable conspiracy theories revolve around national tragedies and terrorist attacks he labels as “false flag” operations. The financial empire he’s created has had millions of viewers and has been on air for more than 20 years. His whole brand includes selling misinformation, as well as self-help products and dietary supplements. He has been dubbed “the most paranoid man in America,” by Rolling Stones and the “king of conspiracy” by CNN.
Jones did not just make money from views, but he used fear to sell things. By convincing his audience that the government and big companies were lying to them, he created a large market for his own products. He sold survival gear, brain pills, and diet supplements on his show. This turned InfoWars into a huge multi-million-dollar business.
Knowing the information about Jones’, readers can gather that his controversial takes have offended many groups of people.
One of the most damaging claims he has made on InfoWars involves the 2012 Sandy Hooks shooting, where 20 children and 6 staff were killed at an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut.
After the tragedy, Alex Jones repeatedly claimed that the shooting was fake and the parents of the victims were just “crisis actors.” Sandy Hook’s victims’, such as Neil Heslin, Leonard Pozner, and Veronique De La Rosa, sued Jones and Infowars in Travis County, Texas, seeking $1 million in damages. When speaking with Noah Holmes ‘28, he stated, “I would 100% do the same as the victims’ parents.”
These false claims made by Jones inevitably led to large-scale harassment of the parents that included doxxing, stalking, and threats. These victims such as Pozner had to move their families to new areas to avoid further turmoil.
In September 2021, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued default judgments in this case, and Jones and Infowars were liable for all damages. Over time the lawsuits surrounding Jones’s statements on Sandy Hooks grew after more families and FBI agents sued Jones once again. By October 2022, Jones had lost all litigation based on these trials, and the jury awarded his victims over $1 billion dollars.
As a result of these lawsuits and financial penalties, Jones and his company went into bankruptcy, leading Jones to sell parts of his companies to pay these families. This is when the Onion comes into play. The Onion is a satirical website based on spreading false information. You’ll usually find headlines such as, “Soaring Gas Prices Forcing More Americans To Drink Less Gas,” or “Harry Styles Hits It Off With Zoë Kravitz’s Mom A Little Too Well.”
The Onion expressed interest in purchasing InfoWars and turning the conspiracy-based website into satire. After speaking with Omar Ismail ‘28 he states, “I think after all the controversy Alex Jones has caused the Onion should be able to purchase InfoWars.”
Alex Jones strongly opposed the idea and filed federal motions to stop the Onion’s involvement. This legal conflict, often called “InfoWars vs. The Onion,” has gained national attention because it combines serious issues surrounding free speech, misinformation, and defamation with the unusual situation of a satirical company trying to take over one of the most controversial media brands in America.
Families of the victims approved the purchasing of InfoWars. However, a federal judge rejected the sale. Therefore, as of late 2024, Jones got to keep Infowars as the case continues to play out.
This trial surrounding Alex Jones and Infowars shows how dangerous misinformation can be. Jones’s false claims about the Sandy Hook shooting hurt many families and has been detrimental to their lives. The lawsuits against him prove that people can face serious consequences for spreading harmful lies. While all Americans should be able to speak their opinion, except for limited circumstances, they should know that there could be consequences.
