The Onion Acquires Infowars, Dismantles Alex Jones’ Disinformation Platform for Satirical Overhaul

Satirical publication The Onion has acquired Infowars, the infamous media platform based by right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Recognized for peddling sensationalist and baseless claims, Infowars has now been absorbed into The Onion’s comedic empire. This marks a major shift within the platform’s future, as The Onion plans to interchange its historical past of disinformation with a contemporary dose of humor.

The acquisition reportedly offers The Onion management over Infowars’ web site, social media channels, product stock, buyer lists, and mental property. This main change comes practically a 12 months after Jones confronted a considerable authorized reckoning. Following a number of lawsuits in 2022, Jones was ordered to pay $1.5 billion to households of Sandy Hook victims as a result of his false claims that the 2012 faculty capturing was a hoax. In September, a Texas decide dominated that Jones’ property, together with Infowars, could possibly be bought off to assist cowl these penalties, finally resulting in Infowars’ buy by The Onion.

Whereas the precise price of the acquisition has not been disclosed, The Onion was clear about its targets for Infowars. “Our mission with this acquisition is to end Infowars’ relentless barrage of disinformation for the sake of selling supplements and replace it with The Onion’s relentless barrage of humor for good,” the publication acknowledged in a latest launch.

The change doesn’t appear to take a seat properly with Jones, who expressed his discontent in a video following the announcement. In his response, Jones lashed out at The Onion, oddly referring to the Chicago-based publication as “Connecticut Democrats” and criticizing the sale course of.

One notable a part of The Onion’s technique features a partnership with gun-control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Security, which can function an unique advertiser on Infowars underneath its new possession. This partnership highlights The Onion’s purpose of reorienting Infowars right into a device for schooling and consciousness on essential points, together with gun security. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “It’s fitting that a platform once used to profit off of tragedy will now help educate. We’re proud to support a venture that stands to not only stop the spread of harmful disinformation but also advance awareness about gun safety and accountability in the industry.”

With Infowars’ new satirical path, The Onion and Everytown goal to reshape what was as soon as a platform for conspiracy right into a device for fact via humor.