The Onion Offers Court-Backed Licensing Plan To Run Alex Jones' Infowars As Parody

The Onion has filed a court proposal to run Alex Jones' Infowars as a parody under a temporary, court-backed license. The filing in Texas state court requests an exclusive six-month license to Free Speech Systems' intellectual property, with an option to renew for another six months. The court-appointed receiver supports the plan and says The Onion would pay about $81,000 per month to cover Infowars' building rent, utilities and other costs.

The Onion has already hired comedic staff, including Tim Heidecker, to operate Infowars as an explicit parody and to broaden it into a comedy network. Company CEO Ben Collins said the licensing deal could take effect around April 30 if Judge Maya Guerra Gamble approves it. The Onion plans to direct any profits from the site to families of the Sandy Hook victims, a move framed as restitution by its backers. Alex Jones announced on his show he will oppose the proposal in court and expects he and his crew could be forced out of the building at the end of April. He said he plans to continue the "Alex Jones Show" from new studios and platforms if displaced.

Initial headlines suggested The Onion had already agreed to take over Infowars, but newer reporting clarifies the action is a court filing seeking approval, not a completed transfer. PBS's detailed coverage drove much of that clarification by publishing the receiver's support, the proposed $81,000 monthly payment, personnel plans and the six-month licensing term. The matter still requires Judge Gamble's approval, so the situation could change as the court process unfolds.