A federal bankruptcy court has rejected satirical publication The Onion’s attempt to acquire Alex Jones’s controversial media platform, Infowars. The Onion had submitted a $7 million bid with the intention of transforming Infowars into a parody platform, but Judge Christopher Lopez ruled that the auction process was flawed, potentially undervaluing the assets.

The Onion’s bid had garnered support from several families of the Sandy Hook victims, who agreed to reduce their claims to strengthen the offer. However, Judge Lopez found that the bidding process lacked transparency and failed to maximize value for all creditors, including those with claims against Jones.

Jones, who has been ordered to pay over $1.3 billion in damages for defaming the Sandy Hook families, remains in control of Infowars for now. The court also dismissed a competing bid from First United American Companies, linked to Jones himself, citing similar procedural concerns.

A Satirical Plan Denied

The Onion’s CEO expressed disappointment with the court’s decision but reiterated the organization’s commitment to pursuing the acquisition. The satirical news outlet had planned to rebrand Infowars into a parody of itself, leveraging its existing infrastructure for comedic content.

What’s Next for Infowars?

The court has directed the bankruptcy trustee to renegotiate with creditors and potentially restart the auction process. This leaves the future of Infowars uncertain, with no clear resolution in sight.

Community and Legal Reactions

The Sandy Hook families have expressed frustration but remain determined to see the proceedings lead to accountability. Meanwhile, critics have raised concerns over the potential misuse of bankruptcy laws to shield Infowars from financial consequences.