Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appears to be weeks away from selling his “InfoWars” program and all its assets to compensate the victims affected by lies he spread about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.
A U.S. bankruptcy judge in Texas cleared the way for a Nov. 13 auction where intellectual properties associated with his program will be put up for bidding. The proceeds will go toward the more than $1 billion Jones owes to the families of the 26 people — mostly children — he falsely accused of faking a mass shooting to foment support for stronger gun control legislation.
The ruling would put Jones’ trademarks, copyrighted material and websites on the auction block. Physical assets including “InfoWars” broadcasting equipment will be sold in a Dec. 10 auction.
The bankruptcy judge’s order is expected to be approved by a federal court judge. The trustee managing Jones’ bankruptcy will also control “InfoWars’” parent company, Free Speech Systems company, which Jones owns.
Liquidating “Infowars” likely won’t be the end of Jones or the brand he launched 25 years ago. The famously mercurial pundit has suggested to supporters they can purchase the company and its properties, then allow the brand to “ease on” with him as a host.
“It’s very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems, the website, the equipment, the shopping cart, all that, can be sold,” Jones recently told listeners, according to the Associated Press.
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James Keivom/New York Daily News People leave flowers by a road leading to Sandy Hook Elementary School after a mass shooting inside the school in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012. (James Keivom/New York Daily News)
It’s also possible the Texas native will continue selling conspiratorial rhetoric and vitamin supplements on his X social media channel, where he has nearly 3 million followers. Jones’ bankruptcy case trustee has indicated he may push for the right-wing influencer to also forfeit his social media assets, though that move would likely be opposed by Jones’ lawyers.
Courts in Texas, where Jones’ broadcasts, and Connecticut, where the Sandy Hook murders occured, found Jones responsible for causing harm to shooting victim’s loved ones with his false allegations. He has since conceded the killings were real.
With News Wire Services
