The Onion's Chicago Owners Make Deal To Take Over Infowars, Alex Jones' Conspiracy Website
Block Club Chicago • • nation
Key Points:
- The Onion, a Chicago-based satirical news site, has reached a deal to acquire far-right media outlet InfoWars, with support from the Sandy Hook families, according to Onion CEO Ben Collins.
- The acquisition follows years of negotiations and legal battles, including Alex Jones’ bankruptcy after being ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages for defamation related to false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.
- The deal involves licensing InfoWars from court-appointed manager Gregory Milligan for $81,000 per month, pending approval from Texas Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, and includes a six-month term with an option to renew.
- The Onion plans to transform InfoWars into a parody of far-right conspiracy sites, appointing comedian Tim Heidecker as Creative Director, and intends to share merchandise proceeds with the Sandy Hook families.
- Alex Jones currently still runs InfoWars and may appeal the ruling, while The Onion aims to use comedy to address past wrongs and has involved familiar talent from its own history in the project.
