The Onion Successfully Aquires Infowars’ Assets at Auction

during a bankruptcy auction, is a pivotal moment in the evolving media landscape, combining humor with a platform that has a notorious history of spreading misinformation. The merger of these vastly different media entities symbolizes a shift in how society can address the damage done by disinformation. This is not merely a financial transaction; it represents a cultural shift, where disinformation is repurposed to serve the public good through satire.

The Acquisition Details

The Onion successfully secured Infowars’ assets with the support of the families affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. These families had previously won substantial defamation lawsuits against Alex Jones due to his false claims regarding the 2012 tragedy. The Onion’s acquisition is intended to transform Infowars from a platform that propagated conspiracy theories into one focused on satire and humor. This transformation aims to entertain while simultaneously discrediting the harmful narratives Jones once promoted. This is a unique form of poetic justice, where a platform once synonymous with harmful misinformation is now being reshaped into one that mocks the absurdity of such claims.

The bankruptcy auction was closely monitored, especially by those affected by Jones’ false narratives. These families had long sought justice—not only in terms of financial compensation but also by reducing the negative impact Jones had on the public discourse. By supporting The Onion’s bid, the families are taking another step toward reclaiming the narrative and changing a negative force into something more positive and far less dangerous.

Plans for Infowars Under The Onion’s Ownership

The Onion plans to relaunch Infowars in January 2025, reimagining it as a satirical site that parodies the same conspiracy theories it once promoted. The new Infowars will serve as an exaggerated and hyperbolic reflection of the original, intentionally showcasing ludicrous versions of conspiracy theories to highlight their absurdity. Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, stated that their goal is to create a “very funny, very stupid website” with contributions from experienced writers at The Onion and Clickhole. The relaunch aims to both entertain and educate by demonstrating just how illogical many conspiracy theories are when presented through a humorous lens.

The Onion’s creative team is already drafting the type of content that will define the revamped Infowars. This includes satirical articles, outrageous headlines, and mock investigative reports—all aimed at ensuring that the new platform will not only amuse audiences but also make it difficult for conspiracy theorists to take themselves seriously. By making these outlandish claims into the subject of humor, The Onion hopes to diminish their influence and lay bare their inherent ridiculousness.

Support from Sandy Hook Families

The families of Sandy Hook victims have expressed strong support for this acquisition, viewing it as an act of justice against the misinformation that caused them significant harm. These families have been vocal about their desire to see Alex Jones held accountable for the harmful lies he spread. Supporting The Onion’s acquisition feels like a positive resolution for them, as they see it as a way to deprive Jones of his platform and turn it into something constructive and less harmful.

For these families, the repurposing of Infowars is a powerful symbol of reclaiming control. It represents a transformative step that aims to reshape a space once filled with harmful content into one that stands for humor, resilience, and, ultimately, truth. The families see this transformation as an opportunity to prevent other families from enduring the kind of harassment and pain that they experienced as a result of Jones’ reckless claims. Some of the families have even expressed interest in consulting on the new content to ensure that it honors their experiences while maintaining its satirical tone.

Advertising Partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety

Alongside the acquisition, The Onion has entered into a multi-year advertising agreement with Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing gun violence. This partnership will help promote gun safety awareness through sponsored content on the revamped Infowars platform. By integrating messages about gun safety into the satirical content, The Onion aims to increase the visibility of these critical issues in a way that is impactful yet engaging.

Everytown for Gun Safety views this partnership as an innovative opportunity to reach new audiences—particularly those who might not typically engage with traditional advocacy content but are drawn to humor. By working with The Onion, Everytown hopes to bring critical safety information to a larger audience, leveraging the newly rebranded Infowars’ reach in a novel way. This collaboration also underscores the potential for blending comedy and advocacy to create a more informed public, ensuring that messages about gun safety resonate with a broader demographic.

Alex Jones’ Response

Alex Jones has publicly condemned the acquisition, alleging that Infowars was shut down without a proper court order and expressing his intent to challenge the sale in court. In a video posted to social media, he stated, “The Connecticut Democrats with The Onion newspaper bought us.” Jones has vowed to fight what he perceives as an unjust takeover, casting himself as a victim of a larger conspiracy.

Jones’ response is predictable, given his long-standing strategy of portraying himself as persecuted by larger forces. He has already begun mobilizing his supporters, urging them to donate to his legal fund to contest the acquisition. However, legal experts assert that The Onion’s purchase of Infowars was fully legitimate, particularly considering the defamation rulings that have consistently gone against Jones. From The Onion’s perspective, Jones’ complaints may provide even more material for the satirical content they plan to create.

Implications for Media and Misinformation

This acquisition represents an unconventional approach to tackling misinformation—by turning a platform known for spreading falsehoods into one that encourages critical thinking through satire. It emphasizes the potential role of humor and parody in addressing and reducing the spread of misinformation in today’s digital age. By taking over Infowars, The Onion is directly challenging the mechanisms that allowed the original platform to thrive, subverting them to foster more responsible and reflective media consumption.

The implications of this acquisition are profound for both the media and audiences. It points toward new ways to combat misinformation—not by outright censorship but by exposing it to ridicule. By transforming Infowars into a parody of its former self, The Onion is attempting to remove the power and allure of conspiracy theories, revealing them as baseless and laughable rather than significant or intimidating. This strategy also opens the door for broader discussions on the role of media in shaping public perceptions, the ethics of satire, and the creative methods that can bring about meaningful change in the information ecosystem.

Viewed in this context, the acquisition can be seen as a bold experiment in media accountability. Rather than simply shutting Infowars down, The Onion has chosen to reclaim and reimagine it, using satire to confront the real dangers posed by disinformation. This approach acknowledges the limitations of traditional methods of fighting misinformation and instead leverages creativity, humor, and engagement as powerful tools in this ongoing battle.