
Progressive groups are setting their sights on a controversial media outlet as it heads to auction, determined to reshape its future.
At a Glance
- Infowars will be auctioned to pay $1.5 billion to Sandy Hook victims’ families.
- Progressive groups like Media Matters are considering bids to reshape Infowars.
- Jones plans to continue his shows via new platforms post-auction.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lopez has approved the auctions beginning in November.
- Sandy Hook families testified about harassment from Jones’ followers.
Auction to Pay Legal Damages and Reshape Media
Alex Jones’ controversial Infowars media platform faces the auction block to help pay over $1 billion in damages owed to Sandy Hook victims’ families. With U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez set to approve the auctions starting in November, many see this as an opportunity to reshape Infowars’ narrative. Progressive groups like Media Matters are eyeing bids to remold the content of the website.
The platform, long criticized for spreading conspiracies, has captured the interest of both critics and supporters. Despite the impending auction, Jones remains undeterred, vowing to continue his broadcasts through other means, possibly a new website or personal social media accounts. His suggestion that Infowars’ assets could be bought by supporters could also allow him to keep hosting his shows.
Alex Jones' Infowars to be auctioned off to pay Sandy Hook families https://t.co/b5g1nAEAvM
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) September 26, 2024
Legal Battles and Financial Fallout
Jones and his company Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy in 2022 after nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional distress lawsuits. Sandy Hook families testified about harassment from Jones’ followers, leading to this significant financial fallout. The trustee overseeing Jones’ bankruptcy case will control all assets of Free Speech Systems, including auctioning assets from intellectual property to studio equipment in December.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lopez converted Jones’ personal bankruptcy reorganization case into a liquidation, allowing the auction of his personal assets to cover the owed damages. Trustee Christopher Murray may also seek permission to liquidate Jones’ personal social media accounts and other intellectual properties. While Jones has about $9 million in personal assets, Free Speech Systems has about $6 million in cash and $1.2 million in inventory.
Future Uncertain for Infowars and Jones
The future for Infowars and Alex Jones remains uncertain. Legal disputes still exist over whether Free Speech Systems owes more than $50 million to another Jones-owned company. Additionally, the real impact on the narrative and content of Infowars remains speculative, depending on who ultimately wins the bids. Sandy Hook families have called for Jones to lose his personal social media accounts and a portion of his future earnings, further complicating Jones’ future endeavors.
Media Matters and other progressive groups see a potential financial and ideological victory if they succeed in reshaping Infowars. However, the potential for Jones to reestablish his media presence on new platforms could mitigate some of the impacts of the auction. As the dates for the auctions approach, broad speculation surrounds the media platform’s future, capturing the attention of both its critics and supporters.