Early Tuesday, The Onion announced plans to acquire Infowars.com. This marks a significant shift for the controversial website.
Previously, Infowars was synonymous with conspiracy theories and misinformation. Alex Jones, its founder, faced severe legal repercussions.
In 2022, Jones declared bankruptcy. He was ordered to pay approximately $1.5 billion for defamation related to the Sandy Hook shooting.
As of midday Tuesday, The Onion’s deal includes leasing Infowars for $81,000 a month for six months. However, this deal is subject to approval by Texas judge Maya Guerra Gamble.
Jones’ financial struggles forced him to liquidate his assets. Now, The Onion aims to transform Infowars into a parody of itself.
Tim Heidecker will take over as creative director of the rebranded site. Ben Collins, The Onion’s CEO, stated their goal: “We’re taking something that caused real harm and turning it into something much funnier.”
The Onion also plans to share profits with victims of the Sandy Hook massacre. They intend to counter misinformation through this acquisition.
The acquisition follows an 18-month legal battle in bankruptcy court. Initially, a judge blocked The Onion’s bid over concerns about its value.
Yet, the tide has turned with this new agreement. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final approval process and timeline for transition.
As this situation develops, experts note the potential impact on public discourse surrounding misinformation. The shift could redefine how Infowars is perceived in the media landscape.