Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Thursday moved to liquidate his personal assets, agreeing to demands from the families of Sandy Hook victims whom he owes more than $1.5 billion in damages over his lies about the 2012 school massacre.
The seismic move paves the way for a future in which Jones no longer owns Infowars, the influential conspiracy empire he founded in the late 1990s. Over the years, Jones has not only used the media company to poison the public discourse with vile lies and conspiracy theories, but also to enrich himself to the tune of millions of dollars.
Prior to Thursday, Jones had resisted converting his personal bankruptcy into a Chapter 7 liquidation. But facing mounting legal pressure, he reversed course and caved to the demands of the Sandy Hook families, who have still not seen a penny from Jones since juries in Connecticut and Texas found him liable in 2022 for defamation and emotional distress. His lawyers said in a filing that there was “no reasonable prospect for a successful reorganization” and that continuing down the path would only result in additional expenses incurred by Jones.
There are plenty of unimaginably rich right-wing weirdos who will take it off his hands for a generous sum, and end up with a perfectly viable propaganda network with a few miles on the odometer.
Maybe, but his force of personality has held it together. Like it or not, and I personally don’t get it, Jones has a peculiar sort of charisma that appeals to some people. Sometimes when the cult of personality is gone, the cult doesn’t last. Here’s hoping.
Who says he won’t keep working there?
When it is no longer enriching him? Why would he?
Perhaps he will punch an intern, get “fired” and then start a new show called The Grand Infowars or something.
Oh I’m sure he’ll be back in no time with a Twitter Video Alex Jones Network or whatever.
The Twitter Watches Alex Tonight Show.
I’ve only willingly listened to him talk a couple of times (YouTube shorts where his head is on a space Marine from 40k) and I get what you mean. One hopes that this can dissuade some of his more ‘moderate’ listeners, but I do worry about the unhinged majority.
Cults often keep people very busy so they don’t have time to think critically about their situation, and letting the flow of propaganda disconnect can start their victims down the journey of leaving.
On the other hand, there are a lot of propagandists out there, and people are still flooded with them. Even if they aren’t quite as far out there as he is, maybe they’ll just migrate to a new flavor of unhinged.
I’m hoping that happens with the red hat cultists.
Me too. Although they’re insane enough to believe he’s still alive for years after he’s dead. After all, the Q element think JFK, Jr. is still alive. Some of them even think JFK, Sr. is still alive.
There is probably already a deal in place for the network to be sold, and Alex to be hired on to continue as normal
If he’s hired, his wages will be garnished. The only way to stiff your creditors is to be self employed or just live off a pension like the murderer OJ. Living in a dead-beat-friendly state will also be required.
Eh…
I doubt it. If they overpay to help him, it doesn’t really help him. No one is going to pay the billion he owns, it’s just a studio and equipment. He’ll never get enough money to pay what he owes.
Now, at least one is probably going to put on a new show, and maybe hire Jones. But most of the equipment/property will probably be auctioned off piecemeal.
I don’t think Jones is going to be in charge of the sale, like it’s not like he can evaluate offers and pick one. Otherwise he’d sell it for $5 to a buddy just so nothing goes to the families