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.
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
