A recent auction for Infowars, the controversial media platform founded by Alex Jones, could decide whether Jones retains access to its online presence or loses it entirely.
The auction was part of proceedings stemming from Jones’ bankruptcy, following court-ordered judgments requiring him to pay nearly $1.5 billion for defamation. These rulings came after Jones repeatedly claimed on his platform that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which took the lives of 20 children and six adults, was staged. Jones has since admitted the tragedy occurred and is appealing the court decisions.
The auction involved a private process managed by the bankruptcy trustee, with bids opened on Wednesday morning. Jones, expressing frustration on his show, questioned whether this marked the end of his association with the platform. Later, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that results would be announced the following day.
Both supporters and critics of Jones participated in the bidding process. Allies such as Roger Stone, a close associate of Jones and former President Donald Trump, expressed interest. Meanwhile, progressive media groups critical of Jones also sought ownership, potentially to transform Infowars into a platform countering conspiracy theories.
Jones revealed that a group he collaborated with had submitted a bid but lamented the secrecy surrounding the process. The auction included Infowars’ assets, such as trademarks, video archives, and an armored truck, among other items. Unsold assets are set to be auctioned in the following month.
The bankruptcy trustee has the authority to accept or reject bids based on the best interests of the estate and its creditors. Jones criticized the auction process, claiming that last-minute changes were introduced without adequate notice.
Infowars’ downfall stems from lawsuits filed by Sandy Hook families who accused Jones of spreading falsehoods, causing them emotional distress. These lawsuits highlighted the impact of Jones’ statements and threats from his followers on the grieving families.
Jones, who amassed significant revenue through product sales on his platform, has seen a surge in popularity among certain audiences. He built a contingency studio and social media accounts in case he loses access to Infowars. While some backers urged figures like Elon Musk to consider purchasing Infowars, no confirmation of such bids has been made.
Critics of Jones have expressed interest in repurposing Infowars to counteract the misinformation it propagated. Progressive media sites like The Barbed Wire have sought to outbid Jones’ supporters, although some have withdrawn due to limited resources. Observers believe Jones could rebuild his presence on alternative platforms, given his dedicated audience.