The satirical news outlet, the Onion, has unveiled a fresh strategy to take over the controversial website Infowars, owned by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, aims to transform Infowars into a comedic platform, following Jones’ bankruptcy in 2022 due to legal settlements totaling over $1.4 billion with the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims.
A proposal submitted to a Texas judge outlines the Onion’s plan to obtain a temporary license to Infowars’ intellectual property, allowing them to populate the site with their own content. If approved by Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin, the deal could be finalized by April 30.
The Onion intends to rebrand Infowars as a “comedy network,” with profits directed to the Sandy Hook families. Renowned comedian Tim Heidecker has already been enlisted for the project, joining the effort to parody the content previously featured on Infowars.
Despite potential legal challenges, the acquisition process has progressed, with the Onion assuming control of Infowars’ assets. The move is supported by the families who sued Jones for defamation and harassment following his false claims about the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Jones, now operating under “The Alex Jones Show,” has vowed to contest the licensing agreement but faces potential eviction from the Infowars studio. Regardless, he plans to continue broadcasting his shows through alternative platforms and merchandise sales.
While the deal marks a significant milestone for the victims’ families, extremism expert Carmen Celestini notes that Jones’ loyal followers persist, suggesting the acquisition may not deter his influence in the long run.