Not a parody: The Onion acquires Alex Jones’s InfoWars in auction
Al Jazeera
Satirical website buys platform of US conspiracy theorist, who has been ordered to pay $1.5bn to Sandy Hook families.
In this case, it’s not satire.
InfoWars, the website of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, has been purchased by The Onion – a parody outlet – putting an end to the controversial platform that drummed up anti-government paranoia in the United States for a quarter of a century.
The auction sale on Thursday came as the result of a 2022 ruling that found Jones liable for nearly $1.5bn in damages for defaming the families of the victims of a mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, by calling the attack a hoax.
The 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators, but Jones falsely claimed that the incident did not happen, arguing that the victims and survivors were crisis actors.
The Onion CEO Ben Collins confirmed the sale on Thursday, saying that it took place with the backing of Sandy Hook families.
Report urges $6.5 trillion annual investment in climate action by 2030 to meet targets and avoid future costs.
Joshua Kimmich says the national team’s 2022 protest of the ban on pro-LGBTQ+ armbands at World Cup wasn’t a good image.
After more than 200 people were killed just two weeks ago, many on high alert again are furious with the government’s handling of the crisis.
IAEA chief Grossi visits Tehran for talks aimed at more monitoring cooperation at Iran’s nuclear sites.
Scientists say coral ‘pulsing with life and colour’ is believed to be 300 years old and three times larger than previous record holder.
The case marks the first time victims of abuse at the hands of US soldiers in Iraq in 2004 have testified to a jury in court.
FBI announcement follows alleged targeting of mobile phones used by Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Weather agency warns of ‘life-threatening’ tidal surges in coastal area as another tropical storm forms in the Pacific.
Follow our live build-up, team news, score and commentary from the series-opening T20 match in Brisbane.
65-year-old man allegedly told police he defaced Shinto shrine as a ‘prank’.
Rights group says Israel appears to have plans to permanently prevent Palestinians from returning to parts of Gaza.