Alex Jones’ Infowars to Be Auctioned to Pay Sandy Hook Families

Alex Jones’ controversial media platform, Infowars, will be auctioned off to help cover the nearly $1.5 billion in damages he owes to the families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, a tragedy he falsely claimed was a hoax. This ruling came after years of legal battles in which Jones, through his media platform, spread harmful conspiracy theories about the shooting, leading to defamation lawsuits and eventual financial ruin. On Tuesday, a judge ruled in favor of the families, setting the stage for Infowars and its associated assets to be sold, marking a significant development in the case that has captivated national attention.

In 2012, 20 children and six staff members were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, during a horrific mass shooting. Instead of reporting the facts, Jones used his platform to claim that the tragedy was staged by the U.S. government as part of an elaborate plot to increase gun control. He suggested that the grieving parents were “crisis actors” and that no one had actually died. For years, Jones propagated these unfounded conspiracy theories, adding to the trauma of the families who had already suffered immeasurable loss. His claims spurred his loyal followers to harass and threaten the victims’ families, prompting them to file multiple defamation lawsuits against Jones and his media empire.

In August 2022, a Texas jury ordered Jones to pay $49.3 million to the families of two Sandy Hook victims. This judgment was followed by a massive Connecticut jury verdict in October 2022, in which Jones was ordered to pay $965 million to 15 plaintiffs, including an FBI agent who responded to the shooting. The Connecticut court later tacked on an additional $473 million in punitive damages and attorney fees, bringing the total sum Jones owed to nearly $1.5 billion.

During the defamation trials, forensic economist Bernard Pettingill Jr. testified that despite Jones’ claims of financial hardship, his empire had generated significant revenue. Pettingill estimated that Jones was worth up to $270 million, a figure that contradicted Jones’ assertions of being “financially maxed out.” By April 2022, three of his companies, including Infowars, Prison Planet TV, and IW Health, had filed for bankruptcy in an effort to shield Jones from having to pay the full amount. He later filed for personal bankruptcy in December 2022, claiming his assets were worth between $1 million and $10 million.

However, Jones’ financial situation is complicated. His most recent financial statements indicate that he has at least $9 million in assets, and five homes in Texas linked to Jones were collectively valued at $7.5 million in 2022. One of these properties, worth $3.5 million, was reportedly transferred to his wife, Erika Wulff, in an apparent attempt to shield it from the liquidation process. The transfer of assets has led to allegations that Jones is attempting to hide his wealth in order to continue his media operations while avoiding paying the families the full amount he owes.

In November 2022, the families of the Sandy Hook victims proposed a settlement plan in which Jones would pay a minimum of $85 million over 10 years. Jones countered with his own proposal, offering to pay a minimum of $55 million over 10 years, plus all of his company’s disposable income. Additionally, he offered to allocate half of his personal income for five years and a quarter for another five years. The families rejected his offer, calling for Jones and his company to liquidate their assets to meet the court-ordered damages. As a result, a trustee was appointed in June 2023 to oversee the liquidation of Jones’ assets. The families have accused Jones of diverting funds to keep his media empire afloat while evading financial responsibility for the harm he caused.

The auction will include various assets owned by Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, which also filed for bankruptcy in July 2022. According to court documents, the company reported $79 million in debt and had just $4 million in cash reserves by April of that year. Judge Christopher Lopez, overseeing the bankruptcy case, approved the auction on Tuesday despite objections from Jones’ attorneys. The assets to be sold include Infowars’ website, social media accounts, broadcasting equipment, and trademarks.

Christopher Murray, the trustee responsible for selling Jones’ assets, has also hinted that he may seek court approval to auction off Jones’ personal social media accounts and other intellectual property. The intellectual property auction for Infowars is scheduled to take place on November 13. This could potentially mark the end of Jones’ presence on mainstream social media, although he has vowed to continue broadcasting by other means.

Jones has not remained silent during the legal proceedings. He has indicated that he will continue his broadcasting efforts, possibly through alternative channels like his personal social media or platforms created by his supporters. In fact, Jones has hinted that loyal fans could purchase Infowars and allow him to continue hosting his show. This move, if successful, could enable Jones to maintain a presence in the media space despite the financial blows his company has suffered.

Throughout the trials, Jones has repeatedly dismissed the rulings against him. He has expressed defiance, calling the damages “hilarious” and maintaining that he cannot afford to pay the nearly $1.5 billion in damages. Even as his empire crumbles, Jones has sought to portray himself as a victim of political persecution, framing the legal battles as an attack on free speech.

The case against Jones underscores the devastating consequences of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories. The families of Sandy Hook victims, who have endured years of harassment and threats, may soon see some semblance of justice as Jones’ empire is dismantled piece by piece. However, the fight for accountability is far from over, as Jones continues to resist the full consequences of his actions.