The Onion acquires Infowars in satirical twist on misinformation

In a surprising turn of events noted by the nonsatirical New York Times, The Onion has acquired Infowars, the controversial website run by Alex Jones, through a bankruptcy auction. The Onion plans to relaunch Infowars in January 2025, transforming it into a platform for "humor for good" to combat disinformation.

This acquisition, supported by Sandy Hook families who previously sued Jones for defamation, aims to repurpose Infowars' assets for satirical content. The deal includes a multiyear advertising partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety, focusing on addressing gun violence through humor.

The sale has been temporarily halted by a bankruptcy judge, citing concerns about the bidding process transparency. The court will review the sale in an upcoming hearing, addressing issues such as asset allocation and competing bids.

Updated Wednesday, 20-Nov-2024

A rival bidder tied to Alex Jones contests the sale, alleging collusion and irregularities in the bidding process, reports the Times. The court-appointed trustee and the families argue The Onion's bid provides greater value to creditors. A hearing is set to resolve the dispute, as Jones and his allies claim the process is politically motivated.