Infowars auction could determine whether Alex Jones is kicked off its platforms

Conspiracy theory purveyor Infowars and most of its assets went on the auction block Wednesday, with Alex Jones waiting to see if he will be allowed to stay or if he will get kicked off its online platforms.

The private auction was being held as part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy, which resulted from the nearly US$1.5 billion in defamation lawsuit judgments a judge and jurors ordered the bombastic internet show and radio host to pay to families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting for repeatedly telling his audience that the Connecticut massacre of 20 children and six adults was a hoax staged by crisis actors.

The bankruptcy trustee was scheduled to open sealed bids at 10:30 a.m. CST and choose the winning bidder or bidders. There was no immediate announcement of the results.

Jones said on his show Wednesday that he was waiting to hear about Infowars’ new owner. He said he was told he would be informed later Wednesday or Thursday.

Jones has said that he believes he could remain at the Infowars studios in Austin, Texas, and continue to use its online platforms if supporters win the bidding. But if opponents buy the assets, he said it could be shut down immediately. He said he has set up a new studio, new websites and new social media accounts in case the latter happens.

On his show Tuesday, Jones alleged that the auction was “rigged” and that he believed “bad guys” will buy Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, and its assets. He did not elaborate but said he would “just drive down the road” and broadcast at another studio.

Up for sale are everything from Jones’ studio desk to Infowars’ name, video archive, social media accounts and product trademarks. Buyers can even purchase an armoured truck and video cameras. Any items not sold will be auctioned off next month.

It’s not clear if the winning bidder or bidders will be announced Wednesday. The trustee in Jones’ bankruptcy case has three business days to disclose that information to a federal court in Texas.

Jones, who has since acknowledged that the Sandy Hook shooting did happen, is appealing the defamation verdicts.