The determination of Infowars' future: A judge will rule on the Sandy Hook families' quest for justice regarding Alex Jones' conspiracy domain.
In a Texas bankruptcy court, decisions about the future of extreme right-wing news outlet Infowars could be made on Friday. The families connected to the Sandy Hook tragedy have filed a crucial motion, questioning if the company can create a functional reorganization plan under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. They've asked the court to liquidate Free Speech Systems, Alex Jones' media conglomerate that lies behind the Infowars platform.
These families, who are still waiting to see any payment from the approximately $1.5 billion in judgments owed to them, argue that the company has "no chance" of developing restructuring plans for the company. The judge's ruling could mean the end of Infowars. A court-appointed trustee would take care of liquidating the assets, potentially selling off Jones' media holdings, including the website, studio space, and production equipment.
"Infowars would cease to exist," Christopher Mattei, a lawyer representing some of the Sandy Hook families, shared with CNN's Hadas Gold.
The implications of this decision could be swift, depriving Jones of the platform he's been using for years to propagate dangerous and bigoted conspiracy theories. Jones, who started his Infowars brand in the 1990s, has spewed noxious rhetoric, most notably perpetrating the notion that the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut, shooting was falsified by the government, and the grieving families of the 20 shooting victims were actors. He's also made a fortune selling dietary supplements to his audience through these deceitful stories.
Jones acknowledged defeat in court when juries in Texas and Connecticut fined him and Infowars. However, thanks to his Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, he's managed to keep his conspiracy business alive, even after selling off personal assets last week. The outcome of the case could mean Jones no longer holds Infowars in the future.
If the court rules in favor of the Sandy Hook families, it could lead to Infowars being completely shut down. However, the court-appointed trustee responsible for liquidating the company may opt to sell off the assets instead, as a buyer for Jones' media platforms might emerge. Perhaps someone like far-right commentator Tucker Carlson, who's recently launched his own media company, could be interested in purchasing Jones' holdings as part of a broader campaign to fuel more conspiracy theories. Ultimately, the attorneys representing the Sandy Hook families anticipate the court could order the sale of various assets, with the proceeds going to the families.
Infowars joins a growing list of right-wing media outlets facing consequences for their untruthful claims. Two other profound examples include Dominion Voting Systems receiving a $787.5 million settlement from Fox News and the Gateway Pundit declaring bankruptcy. One America News settled with Smartmatic. And various other cases are still pending in the legal system.
The legal process moves at a slow pace, but it has proven efficient in helping victims achieve some recompense for the deceitful claims made against them. While no financial value can undo the damage Jones' falsehoods have done to the families of the Sandy Hook victims, liquidating his assets would symbolize progress as they seek to limit the reach of his harmful lies.
According to Mattei, if the court decides to dissolve Infowars, "the families can feel a sense of accomplishment." Their goal has always been to protect their loved ones from Jones' harmful rhetoric and help restore their name.
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The Sandy Hook families argue that Infowars' parent company, Free Speech Systems, has no capacity to restructure under bankruptcy protection, potentially leading to the liquidation of its assets. If the court rules in favor of the families, Alex Jones may no longer have a hold on Infowars, and its assets could be sold, possibly to another media entity promoting conspiracy theories.
