Controversial conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is facing bankruptcy and lawsuits. Jones, who has built a media empire over the last three decades, has pushed various conspiracy theories, including that the U.S. government was behind or failed to stop the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks. Despite the outlandish nature of his false claims, Jones has amassed annual revenues of up to $80 million and has a large fanbase that listens to him on more than 100 radio stations and through his Infowars website and social media. Jones is currently facing lawsuits filed by the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, who allege that he repeatedly lied by claiming the shooting was a hoax. A judge in federal court in Houston is set to decide whether to convert Jones' bankruptcy reorganization to a liquidation to help pay off some of the $1.5 billion he owes from these lawsuits. Jones remains defiant and has stated that he is an honorable and straightforward man. Born in 1974, Jones started broadcasting on a public-access television channel in Austin, Texas, in the 1990s, where he began promoting conspiracies about the U.S. government and false claims about a secret New World Order. He later started his own media business, Free Speech Systems, which has grown to include multiple studios and a warehouse for the products he sells, primarily dietary supplements. Despite being banned from various social media platforms, Jones has adapted to the changing media landscape and continues to spread misinformation. The case against Jones highlights societal vulnerabilities and susceptibilities to disinformation [2ea01e45].
A US court has approved the liquidation of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' personal assets, allowing for the repayment of a fraction of the nearly $1.5 billion in damages he owes to families of victims of a school shooting. However, the court spared Jones' parent company, InfoWars, from liquidation, allowing it to remain in business. Jones had previously declared personal bankruptcy in Texas, stating that his liabilities exceeded his private assets. The ruling means that Jones' personal assets, including a Texas ranch worth $2.8 million, will be sold to pay the debts. InfoWars hailed the court's decision as an 'amazing victory' that allows the website to continue operating. Jones has been widely branded as a misinformation profiteer, amassing a fortune by merging conspiracy theories with merchandise and dietary supplements from his InfoWars store. The families of the shooting victims have reported harassment and threats from Jones' fans for years [6db7fcb1].