Houston, TX – Infowars, the controversial media platform owned by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, will soon be auctioned off to help pay the $1.5 billion in damages he owes to the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The decision was announced after a federal bankruptcy judge approved the auction process on Tuesday.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez confirmed that the auction will commence in November, marking a major step toward accountability for Jones. His platform became notorious for promoting baseless conspiracy theories, including claims that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax, which traumatized families of the victims.
Holding Alex Jones accountable
Christopher Mattei, a lawyer representing the Sandy Hook families, hailed the judge’s decision, stating, “Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built. This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused.” The statement reflects the ongoing efforts by the victims’ families to seek justice for the pain inflicted by Jones’ relentless falsehoods.
Details of the auction
Under the terms of the sale, all assets of Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, will be available for bidding. This includes the website, equipment, and even the shopping cart functionality. The assets will be open to all bidders, whether they support Jones or oppose him.
Jones, however, expressed optimism about his platform’s future. “It’s very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems… can be sold. And they know full well that there are a bunch of patriot buyers, and then the operation can ease on,” he stated on his show.
The Aftermath: Jones’ plans for the future
Despite the impending sale, Jones remains defiant, vowing to continue his broadcasts through other means, potentially via a new website or his social media channels.
Court filings revealed that Jones has approximately $9 million in personal assets, while his company holds $6 million in cash and around $1.2 million in inventory. Both Jones and Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy in 2022, making the auction a significant chapter in their financial struggles.
Sandy Hook families’ trauma
The impact of Jones’ conspiracy theories on the Sandy Hook families has been profound. During court trials in Texas and Connecticut, the victims’ families testified about the harassment they faced from Jones’ followers, who claimed that the shooting never happened and that their children were actors. The families described years of emotional distress due to these falsehoods.
Jones has since admitted that the Sandy Hook shooting was real, stating, “Especially since I’ve met the parents. It’s 100% real.” However, the damage inflicted by his conspiracy theories remains an undeniable part of his legacy.
The Infowars auction signals a turning point in holding Jones accountable, but his determination to continue broadcasting ensures that his presence in the media landscape will persist, even as his empire faces an uncertain future.