Judge Denies Sale of Infowars to The Onion, Citing Auction Issues

Sat Feb 07 2026 04:29:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A US bankruptcy judge has rejected the proposed sale of Alex Jones's Infowars to The Onion, highlighting deficiencies in the auction process.

Judge Christopher Lopez ruled against the sale of Infowars to The Onion after determining the auction failed to attract optimal bids. The judge criticized the auction's management and noted that Jones's claims of collusion lacked merit.

In a significant legal ruling, a US bankruptcy judge has denied the sale of the controversial Infowars website, owned by right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, to the satirical news outlet The Onion. After a two-day hearing, Judge Christopher Lopez concluded that the auction for Infowars did not generate the best possible bids—a central criterion in bankruptcy sales.

The sale was particularly contentious as it was backed by families of victims from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, who secured a $1.5 billion defamation judgment against Jones for his dissemination of falsehoods regarding the tragic event. However, Judge Lopez found that the process was mismanaged, commenting that the bankruptcy trustee should have encouraged more competitive bidding rather than hastily concluding the auction.

Jones had alleged that collusive practices marred the auction; however, the judge dismissed these claims, affirming that the management of the sale was a "good-faith error." He emphasized that the auction should have been reopened to better accommodate potential buyers, enhancing the bidding process overall.

Since his early days broadcasting from Austin, Texas in the 1990s, Jones has built a considerable following, often blending opinion, speculation, and unfounded claims. The financial troubles engulfing Infowars largely stem from fallout related to the Sandy Hook shooting that left 26 people dead, including 20 children. Jones had previously labeled the massacre a "giant hoax" and propagated conspiracy theories that triggered harassment against the victims' families.

While Jones later recanted his stance on the shooting's reality, affirming the deaths did occur, he remains embroiled in legal battles with the relatives of victims, who have successfully secured defamation judgments against him. Following his company's bankruptcy declaration in 2022, Jones faces additional scrutiny over asset liquidation, which includes significant properties and possessions.

The ruling by Judge Lopez not only affects the future of Infowars but also underscores the complexities that arise when high-profile figures face accountability for spreading misinformation. Moving forward, the ramifications of this decision for both The Onion and the families impacted by Jones's statements remain to be seen.