Satirical news outlet The Onion recently stirred waves by acquiring the controversial right-wing media platform Infowars, once helmed by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The transaction, completed at a bankruptcy auction, not only marks The Onion's expansion beyond humor but also brings to the forefront discussions around misinformation, free speech, and accountability.
The Onion is renowned for its sharp wit and satirical takes on current events, boasting claimed readership figures of over 4.3 trillion per day. Its distinct style features headlines like "L'Oreal Suspends Production Of Irresistible 2-Step Lip Color Stick After Lab Rat Seduces Way Out Of Facility" and "Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again." The acquisition appears not only audacious but fitting for the satirical juggernaut, as it can now tackle the heavy themes associated with Infowars through its unique lens.
Infowars has long been notorious for its promotion of conspiracy theories and fake news, particularly surrounding events like the tragic Sandy Hook School shooting. Jones, who initially referred to the victims as "actors" involved in government propaganda, later admitted during court proceedings the reality of the shootings, stating they were “100 percent real.” Following significant legal battles, the families of Sandy Hook victims won nearly $1.5 billion against Jones' companies, leading him to file for bankruptcy and claiming substantial financial distress.
This purchase by The Onion not only signifies the financial desperation of Infowars but also raises questions about the responsibilities and consequences faced by those who disseminate false information. For years, debates have circulated about whether entities like Jones, who spread misinformation, should be held accountable, particularly when lives and reputations are at stake.
Jones played the provocateur card frequently, describing himself variably as "an entertainer" or "performance artist." This defense becomes tenuous when one considers the tangible harm caused by the misinformation he disseminated. Families of Sandy Hook victims faced incessant harassment, some even receiving death threats, stemming from Jones' reckless claims. This behavior exemplifies what experts have termed "stochastic terrorism," where public rhetoric incites individual followers to commit acts of violence or harassment without direct instructions.
The Onion's CEO, Ben Collins (yes, it's his real name), has expressed great amusement and ambition following the acquisition. He stated, "We are planning on making it a very funny, very stupid website." Collins' vision seems to lean toward ensuring the site maintains its relevance—and pays homage to its previous content—by leveraging humor to critique the very foundations of conspiracy theories propagated by figures like Jones.
To add to the newsworthiness, Jones himself has condemned the auction as “rigged,” and there's currently some contention over the rights to Infowars' social media profiles, especially on X, where Elon Musk is reportedly trying to retain control.
For supporters of victims harmed by Jones’ rhetoric, The Onion’s new role opens discussions on creative ways to combat misinformation. The Onion has pledged to accept donations via Bitcoin, inviting its community and critics to financially support the transition. Not only will the satire be back-breaking, but users will be able to contribute to what Collins called "continuing the site’s storied tradition of scaring the site’s users with lies until they fork over their cold, hard cash." Coincidentally, the new setup reflects the complicated relationships people have developed with both cryptocurrencies and platforms like Infowars.
This acquisition is not merely about content but signifies the larger narrative surrounding free speech and accountability on the internet. Back during “YouTube’s Wild West” days of misinformation, when Jones claimed Barack Obama was not U.S. born or perpetuated the Pizzagate conspiracy, freedom of speech was often intermingled with unhinged rhetoric. Even with such egregious claims, courts have had to wrestle with the mockingly fine lines between free speech and harmful speech.
Jones previously claimed restrictions on questioning public narratives infringe upon American values. Yet, as emphasized by the lawyers who represented Sandy Hook families, lies come with consequences, stating, "Speech is free, but lies you have to pay for." This perspective reflects the growing call for accountability among media outlets and personalities perpetuating falsehoods.
For The Onion, the acquisition shifts the humor publication's narrative toward bridging the gap between satire and intense media criticism, and its satirical nature will allow it to explore the absurdity behind the veil of conspiracy theories. What once fed misinformation, The Onion aims to transform—injecting humor to expose the farcical elements inherent within discussions about various conspiracies.
Moving forward, how this acquisition will take shape remains to be seen. It is clear the public is eager for exploration and transparency of difficult subjects, especially when interwoven with the remnants of public discourse influenced by Infowars. If The Onion can carry on the rich tradition of humor and intelligence, this acquisition may well result in one of the more unique critiques of our media-driven society, demonstrating effectively how one can navigate through even the heaviest topics with laughter—or at the very least, irony.
