The Onion, known for its sharp wit, placed a winning bid at a court-ordered auction for Infowars, previously owned by the controversial figure Alex Jones. This acquisition was partially fueled by the families of Sandy Hook victims, who had been engaged in a costly defamation lawsuit against Jones for promoting outrageous claims about the tragic shooting incident in 2012.
The Onion, with plans to revamp the notorious site, is set to invite prominent internet humorists to create content that is "very funny, very stupid." Chief Executive Ben Collins stated they want to steer away from the conspiracy-laden waters that Infowars once navigated. The media organization cheekily noted its target audience—those vulnerable to misinformation—and hinted at targeting the absurdity of the previous ownership's commitment to radical rhetoric.
Chris Mattei, a lawyer representing affected families, highlighted the public service aspect of this acquisition, claiming it would curtail Jones's harmful reach, while survivor Robbie Parker emphasized accountability at all levels of influence.
Alex Jones's journey from fringe broadcaster to widely recognized media personality was punctuated by the fallout from the Sandy Hook tragedy, leading to multiple financial woes. After bankruptcy and a court ruling mandating the liquidation of his assets, this new chapter with The Onion marks an unexpected shift towards humor where confrontation and hostility once reigned.
The Onion is ready to take center stage, ensuring that in this new iteration of Infowars, laughter replaces misinformation and accountability forms the foundation of their new mission.
The Onion, with plans to revamp the notorious site, is set to invite prominent internet humorists to create content that is "very funny, very stupid." Chief Executive Ben Collins stated they want to steer away from the conspiracy-laden waters that Infowars once navigated. The media organization cheekily noted its target audience—those vulnerable to misinformation—and hinted at targeting the absurdity of the previous ownership's commitment to radical rhetoric.
Chris Mattei, a lawyer representing affected families, highlighted the public service aspect of this acquisition, claiming it would curtail Jones's harmful reach, while survivor Robbie Parker emphasized accountability at all levels of influence.
Alex Jones's journey from fringe broadcaster to widely recognized media personality was punctuated by the fallout from the Sandy Hook tragedy, leading to multiple financial woes. After bankruptcy and a court ruling mandating the liquidation of his assets, this new chapter with The Onion marks an unexpected shift towards humor where confrontation and hostility once reigned.
The Onion is ready to take center stage, ensuring that in this new iteration of Infowars, laughter replaces misinformation and accountability forms the foundation of their new mission.
