Ben Collins reveals The Onion’s deal to take over Alex Jones’ Infowars

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• The Unlikely Satire Victory Eight Years in the Making
• How The Onion Plans to Mock Misinformation on Infowars
• The Legal and Financial Timeline of This Dramatic Takeover
• Sandy Hook Families Celebrate Justice and a Platform Transformed
• Will Alex Jones Fight Back or Find a New Platform Entirely?
  • Sources

Ben Collins and The Onion just revealed their stunning new deal to take over Alex Jones‘ notorious Infowars platform. The satirical news outlet announced Monday it has reached an agreement with support from Sandy Hook families to transform the conspiracy theory machine into pure comedy. This landmark deal, pending judge approval by April 30, could help repay the $1.3 billion Jones owes to victims’ families.

The Unlikely Satire Victory Eight Years in the Making

Eight years and three days have passed since Sandy Hook families filed their defamation lawsuit against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, yet they hadn’t received a single penny. That changes now. Ben Collins, the former NBC News reporter who became The Onion CEO in 2024, told CNN the deal will start producing immediate revenue through merchandise sales. Collins said the families were eager to silence Jones and transform his platform into something that mocks everything he represents.

The agreement marks the end of a legal saga spanning 18 months of court battles. The Onion won a bankruptcy auction in November 2024. However, a federal judge blocked the sale just weeks later, citing concerns about the auction process. Now, a new path forward emerged through the Texas state court system, where a receiver oversees the assets until the full purchase can be completed.

How The Onion Plans to Mock Misinformation on Infowars

The satirical outlet’s vision is delightfully subversive. Tim Heidecker, one half of the comedy duo Tim and Eric, will serve as creative director and parody Jones himself. Collins revealed that The Onion will staff the platform with newer, independent comedians seeking their break in entertainment. The outlet will feature signature satire mocking social media influencers, wellness supplement hustlers, and media figures pedaling questionable claims.

The Onion plans to operate Infowars as a digital platform and comedy network rather than a traditional broadcast. Much of the initial content will target the grifters, scammers, and conspiracy peddlers Jones himself amplified. Collins emphasized that The Onion wants to deliver genuine comedy that exposes how dangerous misinformation can be.

The Legal and Financial Timeline of This Dramatic Takeover

Milestone	Date	Status
Sandy Hook Lawsuit Filed	April 2015	Ongoing
Judgment Against Jones	2022	$1.3 billion owed
The Onion Wins Auction	November 2024	Initial victory
Judge Blocks Sale	December 2024	Auction halted
New Deal Announced	April 20, 2026	Licensing agreement
Court Hearing	April 30, 2026	Judge approval

The Onion will pay $81,000 monthly to license the Infowars domain and brand. The receiver says these funds will cover costs preserving assets until Jones‘ appeals are resolved. Collins stated The Onion has also signed a deal to purchase the full assets once the judicial stay expires. This means the transformation isn’t temporary, but the foundation for a complete ownership transition.

‘We’ve wanted this the whole time. We have not backed down at any moment. It’s been eight years and three days since the Sandy Hook families initially filed this lawsuit, and they have not received a penny. So, we’re excited to get them immediate pennies with some merch sales, but also longer-term pennies once we do wind up eventually straight up buying this thing.’

— Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion, in an interview with CNN

Sandy Hook Families Celebrate Justice and a Platform Transformed

Chris Mattei, attorney for the Sandy Hook families, described the deal as a profound victory. The families took unprecedented legal action to stop Jones from harming others using his platform for profit. Mattei stated that when Infowars finally goes dark, the network of lies Jones built will become a force for social good. The families endured years of harassment and death threats because Jones falsely claimed the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.

For nearly a decade, Sandy Hook families fought through bankruptcy courts, federal judges, and state systems seeking accountability. Jones has paid zero dollars of his $1.3 billion judgment. Now, The Onion’s takeover and monthly licensing fees begin the long process of restitution. Additionally, Jones’s personal bankruptcy trustee continues selling his assets, including cars, homes, watches, and guns, with proceeds going toward the families’ judgment.

Will Alex Jones Fight Back or Find a New Platform Entirely?

Jones vowed Monday to challenge the new deal, claiming The Onion plans to steal his identity and misrepresent him under the guise of satire. He accused the outlet of trying to profit from his name and brand. Jones declared he would file lawsuits and keep running his show on a different website and brand name if necessary. He told viewers to buy limited edition merchandise quickly, hinting Infowars itself may soon disappear.

Legal experts note that Jones can continue broadcasting under a new domain and brand, but losing Infowars.com and the associated brand equity represents a significant blow. The trademark, audience, and historical archive all transfer to The Onion. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin will decide whether the licensing deal proceeds on April 30. If approved, The Onion says it could begin the comedy network rollout within weeks.

Sources

• CNN – Exclusive interview with Onion CEO Ben Collins on Infowars takeover and Sandy Hook families
• NPR – Comprehensive coverage of licensing deal, legal timeline, and court approval process
• The Guardian – Details on monthly licensing fees and timeline for full asset purchase