The Onion didn't just buy a URL. Ben Collins outmaneuvered Alex Jones in bankruptcy, leasing the Infowars IP from a court-appointed receiver while Jones tried to devalue his own assets. The move keeps the brand’s value high enough to eventually generate cash for the families Jones defamed, who haven't seen a cent of the $1.5 billion judgment.
Collins and comedian Tim Heidecker plan to keep the 'War on for your mind' branding but point the lens at the grift itself. The parody will target the 'wellness-to-conspiracy' pipeline that figures like Jones and RFK Jr. use to sell lifestyle products. They are mocking the process of information delivery, not just the content.
"This isn't a partisan attack, but a look at how figures like RFK Jr. and Jones use the same mechanics to sell lifestyle products."
- Ben Collins, The Daily
The Onion purchased the Infowars IP in a bankruptcy auction in November 2024 after Jones failed to pay the judgments. Collins says Jones was unaware of The Onion until they won the auction, and Jones has since personally harassed Onion leadership. The Sandy Hook families support the takeover and thanked The Onion for preserving the asset's value.
Collins views friction as proof of independence. The outlet recently drew fire from the Democratic Party for mocking Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign. The new Infowars will avoid traditional partisan traps to explore the human desperation that leads people to buy into absurdity. It’s an exercise in catharsis for an audience that feels the world has gone mad.
If the project works, the name will signal satire rather than conspiracy within five years. Collins is betting that the same audience that felt gaslit by Jones will find relief in his downfall.
