The Onion Takes Aim at Conspiracy-Theorist Infowars

Wed Apr 22 2026 00:25:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a surprising twist, satirical news outlet The Onion is seeking a temporary license for Infowars' platforms, with plans to turn it into a comedy hub. This move comes as Infowars faces liquidation due to defamation judgments stemming from the Sandy Hook tragedy.

The Onion has proposed a plan to take over Infowars’ platforms, allowing them to create parody content in light of Alex Jones' legal challenges and the liquidation of his company, Free Speech Systems. Plans for the operation include profits supporting Sandy Hook families, as the satire outlet aims to transform the controversial media platform into a comedic space.

The Onion, known for its satirical take on current events, is stepping into the spotlight with a new plan to temporarily take over Infowars, the controversial platform owned by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. This comes during a tumultuous time for Jones, who is facing liquidation after being ordered to pay more than $1 billion in defamation judgments related to his claims about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The proposal, submitted to a Texas state judge, would give The Onion a temporary license to use Infowars' intellectual property. This means they can produce and post their content on Infowars’ website and social media channels. If approved, this deal is expected to take effect by April 30, with the potential to turn the site into a purely comedic venture.

Ben Collins, The Onion’s CEO, has revealed plans to hire staff, including Tim Heidecker from the comedy duo Tim and Eric, to create unique and humorous content centered around the bizarre world of conspiracy theories. We want to create characters and narratives that parody the nonsensical information often peddled in the media, Collins mentioned.

A significant aspect of this proposal is its focus on providing financial support to the families of Sandy Hook victims. The deal would allocate profits from The Onion's operations to these families, who have suffered greatly due to Jones’ unfounded claims.

In response, Jones has vowed to challenge the licensing agreement in court, stating that he plans to continue his show under his own branding, regardless of the outcome. He affirmed he is preparing a new studio to keep his content running through various media channels.

The Onion’s license is set for six months and comes with an $81,000 monthly payment to help cover operational costs as the court-appointed receiver manages the sale of Infowars’ assets. This significant step has garnered support from Sandy Hook families who seek justice and accountability from Jones.

As this situation unfolds, it poses intriguing questions about media, satire, and the potential for humor to tackle even the most serious topics.