The Onion, known for its satirical take on news and current events, announced on Thursday that it had successfully won a bankruptcy auction to acquire Infowars, the website created by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. However, in a development typical of the ongoing legal drama, within hours of the announcement, the bankruptcy judge temporarily halted the deal.

According to The Onion, its bid had the backing of the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims. In 2022, these families won a $1.4 billion defamation lawsuit against Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems. The Onion plans to relaunch Infowars in January as a parody of its former self, mocking “bizarre internet personalities” like Jones, who are known for spreading misinformation and selling health products, as explained by Ben Collins, CEO of Global Tetrahedron, the parent company of The Onion.

While an attorney for The Onion assured that the deal was secure, Judge Christopher Lopez of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston, during an emergency hearing, placed a temporary hold on the sale, pending further clarification about the bidding process and the assets being purchased. One point of contention was Jones’s X account, among other assets.

The auction saw only two bidders. Walter J. Cicack, a Houston-based attorney representing First United American Companies (which operates an online supplement store associated with Jones), bid $3.5 million for Infowars’ website, other related sites, and its lucrative supplement business. Cicack claimed he was informed by the court-appointed trustee that he was the “backup bidder” but was not given a chance to raise his bid or learn the winning amount.

Although The Onion did not disclose the exact terms of its bid, it was revealed during the hearing that it offered less cash than First United, but managed to secure the purchase with a “credit bid.” This arrangement was supported by the Sandy Hook families, who agreed to temporarily forgo collecting part of the damages they were owed.

Judge Lopez expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the auction process and criticized the trustee for not informing backup bidders of the winning bid. Jones’s lawyer, Vickie Driver, confirmed that the Infowars website had been shut down and that the trustee had started securing its assets.

The families of the Sandy Hook victims, who filed lawsuits against Jones in 2018 after he falsely claimed the shooting was a hoax, welcomed The Onion’s potential takeover of the site, seeing it as a strategic victory. “We thought this would be a hilarious joke,” said Collins, adding that the satire would serve as a commentary on the chaotic world of misinformation.

The Onion also humorously reported that its acquisition of Infowars cost “less than a trillion dollars” and joked that all of the dietary supplements would be turned into a “single candy bar-sized omnivitamin.”

Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit focused on reducing gun violence, plans to advertise on the relaunched Infowars under The Onion’s direction. While Collins declined to reveal the value of the advertising deal, he confirmed that it is a multiyear agreement that would include banner ads and sponsored content.

The purchase, involving a prominent gun control group and brokered by a law firm with Democratic ties, is likely to fuel Jones’s claims of a “deep state” conspiracy against him. Jones has made his own spectacle of the auction, promoting “Save Infowars” discounts on his products and encouraging Elon Musk to enter the bidding.

However, even if The Onion acquires Infowars, it’s unlikely to silence Jones, who has spent years shielding his assets from the families’ claims. He and his father have set up separate companies to funnel profits from merchandise and media sales. Jones also maintains that far-right backers are prepared to finance his comeback if necessary.

After the auction, Jones referred to the entire process as “phony,” echoing the language he used to dismiss the Sandy Hook tragedy. Despite the legal battles, his wealth and assets remain a contentious issue, with the families likely to see a fraction of what they are owed from the $9 million in assets currently estimated.

Amid the bankruptcy proceedings, there was a notable divide between the lawyers representing the Connecticut families and those representing victims from Texas, particularly regarding how any sale proceeds will be divided. The Connecticut team claimed credit for The Onion’s acquisition.

The partnership between Everytown and The Onion may seem unusual, but both organizations share a goal of addressing gun violence, as noted by Everytown President John Feinblatt. “This was an opportunity for us to provide The Onion with the data and research, and for them to use their creativity to turn that information into new messaging for a different audience,” he said.

Collins confirmed that The Onion would likely use Infowars as a platform to raise awareness of gun violence in America, possibly with satirical stories alongside the sponsored content from Everytown.

The Onion’s acquisition is seen by some as a form of accountability for Jones, with Connecticut lawyer Chris Mattei calling it a public service that would hinder Jones’s ability to cause further harm. “The families and The Onion team have done a public service by divesting Jones of Infowars’ assets,” Mattei said.

The Onion’s involvement with the Sandy Hook families began earlier this year, when Collins, who previously reported on misinformation, reached out to the families to gauge support. The families, recognizing the potential to end Jones’s reign over the site, offered their backing.

Robbie Parker, whose daughter was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, expressed his support, saying that “the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited.”

Although financial details remain undisclosed, Collins mentioned that The Onion’s successful relaunch of its print edition helped finance the Infowars bid. The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, is backed by Twilio co-founder Jeff Lawson.

Collins emphasized that the families supported The Onion’s bid because it would remove Jones’s influence over Infowars, a site known for spreading harmful misinformation. They also appreciated the use of humor as a means of addressing serious social issues like gun violence. “They’re all human beings with senses of humor who want good things to happen,” Collins said.