Bankruptcy Judge considerately scrutinizes proposed auction for InfoWars' revival, as reported by The Onion
It appears that The Onion's acquisition of InfoWars isn't a done deal just yet. After an unusual auction process on Thursday, Judge Christopher Lopez, overseeing the bankruptcy sale, has raised concerns about the conduct of the sale. A review hearing has been scheduled for next week to evaluate the auction process.
InfoWars, a right-wing, conspiratorial website established in 1999 by Alex Jones, was declared defunct following the auction's conclusion on Thursday. However, the sale was halted due to Judge Lopez's intervention.
Jones was found liable for defamation after continuously asserting that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy was a hoax. This false claim led to considerable harassment for the families who lost children in the disaster. Jones eventually admitted that the shooting actually occurred.
Freedom of speech is heavily protected in the United States, but speakers must back their claims with proof to avoid liability. Jones failed to provide evidence supporting his assertion that the Sandy Hook parents were paid actors, and a judge ultimately concluded that he knowingly lied.
"We're all heading to an evidentiary hearing to clarify what actually happened," Judge Lopez reportedly mentioned, according to the Associated Press. "No one should feel confident in the auction's results."
Judge Lopez's skepticism seems to primarily revolve around the fact that The Onion's cash offer was lower than that of First United American Companies. This organization appears to manage Jones's supplement business, which generates tens of millions of dollars annually through supplement sales with names like "Brain Force Ultra" and "Survival Shield X-2."
First United offered $3.5 million for InfoWars, which was more than The Onion's cash offer. This seemingly aimed to permit Jones to continue broadcasting his daily show. However, the bankruptcy auction trustee, Christopher Murray, argued in court that The Onion's bid was superior, despite offering less cash, due to its collaboration with the Sandy Hook shooting families. These families were willing to forgo some of their damages from their successful defamation suits against Jones to support The Onion's bid.
In a statement to Gizmodo, Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion, stated, "The joint bid from Global Tetrahedron and the Connecticut families has been chosen as the successful bid for InfoWars. The sale is currently underway as part of the standard processes." Global Tetrahedron is the parent company of The Onion.
However, the specifics of The Onion's offer remain unclear, as well as why it was deemed superior to First United's cash bid. First United's lawyers told the judge on Thursday that the auction process was altered only a few days prior, excluding a final round that could have given them an opportunity to outbid The Onion.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, the future of InfoWars hinges on the evaluation of the auction process next week. In light of the technology-driven era, the role of evidence in upholding the principles of free speech is more significant than ever.
