Bombastic conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to liquidate his personal assets as he owes $1.5 billion for his false claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. The federal bankruptcy judge who ordered the asset liquidation dismissed a separate bankruptcy case involving Jones’ media platform, Infowars. Despite predictions of the end of Infowars, Jones left the hearing smiling and called into a show to say that political attempts to hijack the operation have failed.
The fight over Jones’ assets began after he and Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy protection following defamation lawsuit judgments totaling over $1.4 billion. Jones, a Texas native, has built a media empire with his conspiracy theories spreading across various platforms. From starting on public-access television in the 1990s, Jones now hosts a daily four-hour show on Infowars with high-profile guests. However, his business is facing closure due to the significant debt owed to the Sandy Hook families.
Jones’ connection to the Sandy Hook shooting stems from his false claims that it was a hoax, which led to years of torment and threats directed at the victims’ families. The families fought back with lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas, where Jones acknowledged in court that the shooting was real. Court records show that Jones has approximately $9 million in personal assets, but much of that is to be sold off to repay the debt. The families have also accused Jones of illegally diverting and hiding millions of dollars.
The immediate future of Infowars and Free Speech Systems remains uncertain as the trustee appointed in Jones’ bankruptcy case now has control over his assets. Lawyers for the families have expressed satisfaction with the outcome, with one calling Infowars “soon-to-be defunct.” Jones, however, remains optimistic and has stated that he is still fighting. The families may pursue further legal action to collect on the debt, either through state courts or by asking the bankruptcy court to liquidate the company. Ultimately, the saga between Alex Jones and the Sandy Hook families is far from over, with more legal battles expected in the future.
