# I am confused about Alex Jones' lawyer's "mistake" in sending all of Jones' phone contents to the plaintiffs **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 4, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096 "2022-08-04T15:34:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/330 "2024-06-26T01:03:27Z")
Yeah, they wanted to settle for $85M. > **[Sandy Hook families offer to settle Alex Jones’ $1.5 billion legal debt for a...](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sandy-hook-families-offer-settle-alex-jones-15-billion-legal-debt-mini-rcna126944)** > > But in the sharply worded document, attorneys accused the Infowars host of failing to curb his personal spending and “extravagant lifestyle.” He refused to go any higher than $55M so it went nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/331 "2024-06-26T05:04:39Z")
I seem to recall reading that the main thing the families want to see is Infowars and FSS put out of business and see Alex Jones ruined financially. It looks like they are likely to get that. I’m sure they would take the whatever money they are able to recover but I have the feeling that isn’t their only goal. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/332 "2024-06-26T05:24:53Z")
What I saw today indicated that Infowars’ days are numbered. [The Alex Jones–Sandy Hook Legal Fight Could End Infowars (nymag.com)](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/the-alex-jonessandy-hook-legal-fight-could-end-infowars.html) > In the latest development of the yearslong legal saga of far-right provocateur [Alex Jones](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/alex-jones-to-liquidate-assets-in-sandy-hook-settlement.html), the court-appointed trustee handling his media company indicated in a [court filing](https://www.courthousenews.com/alex-jones-bankruptcy-trustee-challenges-sandy-hook-familys-collection-attempt/) on Sunday that he intends to shutter the business and sell off its properties. The trustee, Christopher Murray, wrote that he plans to conduct “an orderly wind-down process and asset sale” of the business. Such a sale would likely include Infowars, Jones’s flagship media website. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/333 "2024-06-26T06:41:57Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I seem to recall reading that the main thing the families want to see is Infowars and FSS put out of business and see Alex Jones ruined financially. It looks like they are likely to get that. Most of them do, the Connecticut families do. One family in Texas that filed separately seems to want to maximize the payment instead. I’m not throwing shade at them, maybe they think that’s better justice. > [@joebuck20](#): > > What I saw today indicated that Infowars’ days are numbered. The AP link in my update had the same info, yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/334 "2024-06-26T11:45:02Z")
What’s to stop some right-wing billionaire from buying the whole thing including the name and hiring Jones to keep Infowars going? There’s clearly a built-in audience and it’s the sort of evil bullshit the right currently love. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/335 "2024-06-26T14:49:38Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > What’s to stop some right-wing billionaire from buying the whole thing including the name and hiring Jones to keep Infowars going? Not ideal, but at least that would be money that can’t be used, say, in political campaigning. I’d hope that if something like that is in the offing, the Connecticut families’ legal counsel is aware of it and is advising their clients to more firmly dig in and hold out for every cent. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/336 "2024-06-26T14:58:42Z")
It would probably be more efficient for a billionaire to start an entirely new but similar company and hire Jones for that. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/337 "2024-06-26T15:15:15Z")
Isn’t there something in the process that lets the families attach Jones’ future earnings, too? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/338 "2024-06-26T15:21:10Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It would probably be more efficient for a billionaire to start an entirely new but similar company and hire Jones for that. Or start a new company and hire some other crazy lying right-wing blowhard. It’s not like there’s a shortage of them. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/339 "2024-06-26T15:59:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Or start a new company and hire some other crazy lying right-wing blowhard. No problem. The purpose of this action was to punish Jones for a particular line of right-wing bullshit, not to eradicate the airwaves of _all_ right-wing bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/340 "2024-06-26T19:32:36Z")
Well, except that for better or worse (mostly worse) Infowars and Jones are a high-profile right-wing media team. Starting with a known brand and existing audience is a much surer path to success. But at least Jones wouldn’t own it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyEcks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnnyecks/32/18197_2.png) [@JohnnyEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnyEcks)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/341 "2024-11-14T15:10:00Z")
Update! The intellectual property of infowars has been auctioned off, including their archives, websites, and mailing lists. The winner? The Onion, in conjunction with Sandy Hook Promise and other gun control organizations. Physical assets to be sold Dec. 10th. The schadenfreude is delicious. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/342 "2024-11-14T15:27:07Z")
How much did it sell for? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/343 "2024-11-14T15:29:43Z")
The sale price has not been disclosed. > [@](#): > > Jones confirmed The Onion’s acquisition of Infowars in a social media video Thursday and said he planned to file legal challenges to stop it. > > “Last broadcast now live from Infowars studios. They are in the building. Are ordering shutdown without court approval,” Jones said on the social platform X. > > Jones was broadcasting live from the Infowars studio Thursday morning and appeared distraught, putting his head in his hand at his desk. Ohhh, the schadenfreude. > **[Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars at auction with help...](https://apnews.com/article/onion-buys-infowars-alex-jones-6496f198d141c991087dcd937b3588e9)** > > Families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims say the satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones’ Infowars at a bankruptcy auction. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/344 "2024-11-14T15:32:41Z")
Are we absolutely certain that The Onion has actually won the auction, and that they haven’t just announced that they have? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/345 "2024-11-14T15:35:17Z")
While that also would be entertaining, it’s widely reported. Example: [The Onion Buys Alex Jones' Infowars At Auction | HuffPost Latest News](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/onion-alex-jones-infowars-auction_n_6735022fe4b0958bad3decf5) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/346 "2024-11-14T15:36:54Z")
> [@JohnnyEcks](#): > > The intellectual property of infowars has been auctioned off, including their archives, websites, and mailing lists. The winner? The Onion, in conjunction with Sandy Hook Promise and other gun control organizations. They must have outbid John Oliver, but then I think he probably blew his stunt budget on [that luxury motorcoach with which he was trying buy Clarance Thomas’ into retirement](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/john-oliver-clarence-thomas-million-motorcoach-supreme-court-1234970879/). _The Onion_ is quickly actually becoming “America’s Finest News Source”, certainly with a higher degree of news reporting and analysis than CNN or MSNBC, and unlike _The New York Times_ they are explicit that they are making stories up out of whole cloth. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/347 "2024-11-14T15:44:31Z")
I’m not actually doubting it, but neither Huffpo nor the AP article clearly specify a source other than The Onion for their stories. I’m not actually sure which possibility is funnier. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/348 "2024-11-14T15:45:28Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > but neither Huffpo nor the AP article clearly specify a source other than The Onion for their stories. The AP article does include: > [@](#): > > Jones confirmed The Onion’s acquisition of Infowars in a social media video Thursday and said he planned to file legal challenges to stop it. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096/349 "2024-11-14T15:48:29Z")
Also, from a CNN article: > [@](#): > > The Onion’s bid was backed by the families of eight victims of school shooting and one first responder. It also will have an exclusive advertising deal with the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. CNN was first [to report](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/12/media/infowars-alex-jones-bid-auction-sandy-hook/index.html) the humor web site had entered the bidding. > [@](#): > > In order to make the bid work, the families “agreed to forgo a portion of their recovery to increase the overall value of The Onion’s bid, enabling its success,” the families said in a statement. > > “After surviving unimaginable loss with courage and integrity, they rejected Jones’ hollow offers for allegedly more money if they would only let him stay on the air because doing so would have put other families in harm’s way,” said Chris Mattei, attorney for the families and partner at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder. > **[The Onion has won the bid for Infowars’ assets | CNN Business](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/14/business/onion-alex-jones-infowars-auction/index.html)** > > Satirical news site The Onion won the auction to acquire conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars, which was sold off as part of a defamation settlement after he falsely called the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre a hoax. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-confused-about-alex-jones-lawyers-mistake-in-sending-all-of-jones-phone-contents-to-the-plaintiffs/969096.md?page=18)