The Onion Wins Auction for Alex Jones' Media Company
Background
In a surprising turn of events, satirical news organization The Onion has emerged as the victorious bidder in an auction for Infowars, the media company founded by far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
The auction was held as part of Jones' bankruptcy proceedings. Infowars filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2022 following a series of successful lawsuits alleging Jones defamed the families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting with false claims that the massacre was a hoax.
Terms of the Sale
The terms of the sale have not been officially disclosed, but The Onion has reportedly agreed to pay $20 million for Infowars' assets, including its website, social media channels, and production equipment.
The sale is expected to close later this year, pending approval by the bankruptcy court.
Reactions to the Sale
The news of The Onion's purchase of Infowars has been met with mixed reactions.
Some have praised The Onion for its decision to acquire Infowars, arguing that it will help to combat the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Others have expressed concern that The Onion's ownership of Infowars could legitimize Jones' views and give him a platform to continue to spread his false claims.
The Onion's Plans for Infowars
The Onion has not yet announced its specific plans for Infowars, but it is widely expected that the satirical news organization will use the platform to produce new content.
It is possible that The Onion will use Infowars to parody Jones' conspiracy theories or to produce other satirical content related to the far-right.
Conclusion
The Onion's purchase of Infowars is a significant development with the potential to have a major impact on the media landscape.
It remains to be seen how The Onion will use its new platform, but it is clear that the acquisition has the potential to be both controversial and transformative.