On a notable Wednesday morning, the Infowars media empire, famously associated with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, is scheduled to be auctioned off in a court-ordered sale. This development is not merely procedural; a source close to the matter has revealed that at least one bid is already in the “seven-figure” bracket. This initial bid reportedly comes from an individual described as an “ally” of Jones. This unnamed bidder hopes to maintain Jones as a broadcast host on the Infowars platform, albeit under new ownership. The identity of this individual remains undisclosed at this time.
Alex Jones has positioned himself in a unique predicament as he faces substantial financial liabilities—over $1 billion owed to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims. This financial burden stems from defamation judgments rendered against him by juries in states like Texas and Connecticut. The courts found that Jones used his platform, specifically Infowars, a channel established by him, to propagate false claims asserting that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. Such alarming actions have not only jeopardized his media legacy but have transformed his company into an asset necessary for compensating the victims’ families.
Throughout his media career, Jones has leveraged Infowars not only to advance disinformation but also to amass personal wealth, estimating in the millions of dollars. The mention of a significant bid from someone in his inner circle raises concerns regarding the continuity of his control over Infowars. If a financially capable outsider were to purchase the company, it could effectively lead to a situation where Jones is reinstated as host, thus regaining influence over the very platform poised to be auctioned.
The auction encompasses an expansive array of items, not limited to the studio equipment and online dietary supplement store, but also including an armored Terradyne truck, a Winnebago motorhome, and various social media accounts associated with Infowars. In a recent broadcast, Jones commented on the preparations for the auction, indicating he spotted auctioneers inspecting the assets. He expressed optimism that potential buyers he views as “good guys” might secure the future of Infowars, allowing it to continue its operations.
Among those considered “good guys” is Roger Stone, a renowned political consultant and former adviser to Donald Trump. Reports indicate that Stone is contemplating making an attempt to acquire the Infowars brand, although he has not publicly commented on this development. Conversely, Jones warned that if “bad guys” were to complete the purchase, he would remain in the broadcasting game until they sought to shut him down post-auction. In that event, Jones has indicated that he would migrate to a new social media account dubbed AJNLive, asserting that he would not be silenced.
Regardless of the immediate outcome surrounding Infowars, it is imperative to note that Jones’s debt obligations to the Sandy Hook families remain intact and will follow him wherever he may migrate his operations. His legal representation has abstained from commenting further on these impending repercussions.
Interestingly, the auction has attracted attention from diverse entities, including The Onion, a satirical news site known for its humorous takes on current events. Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion, has previously reported on figures like Jones and the impact of disinformation in the media landscape. Upon learning of potential acquisitions, Collins hinted at consideration with his own humorous take, exemplifying the varied interest in the Infowars brand.
Additionally, progressive media outlet The Barbed Wire, led by publisher Jeff Rotkoff, has confirmed intentions to bid on Infowars, although details of their partnerships and bid value remain undisclosed. Even the media watchdog group Media Matters has expressed interest in potentially acquiring the platform, highlighting the remarkable involvement of different ideological perspectives in this auction.
Requirements for bidders entail a 10% down payment of any initial offer and adherence to a nondisclosure agreement. Items remaining unsold during this immediate auction phase will be made available for public bidding slated for December. Following the auction’s conclusion, an announcement regarding the outcome is set to be filed with the Court.
As this auction progresses, families of the Sandy Hook victims have expressed hope that the event might signify the end of Jones’s grasp on the media outlet that has significantly contributed to their distress. Attorney Christopher Mattei echoed this sentiment, noting that the auction presents a crucial step in achieving accountability for the harm inflicted upon the victims and their families.
