Texas appeals court halts The Onion's takeover of Infowars

A Texas appeals court on Wednesday issued a temporary pause in The Onion's attempt to take over Infowars. The court temporarily "stayed the turnover of the site to the official who inked the agreement with an affiliate of The Onion," New York Times reporter Ben Mullins wrote.

The ruling delays the latest effort by the satirical news outlet to take control of the site founded by Alex Jones. Earlier this month, The Onion outlined plans to transform Infowars into a parody platform, with comedian Tim Heidecker serving as “creative director.” Heidecker said he intends to create content that satirizes Jones’ style and overall approach, describing the project as a parody of his “modus operandi.”

Heidecker has already begun producing videos in which he impersonates Jones. He is best known for his work on the Adult Swim series Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, and announced his involvement in the Infowars project in a video posted to Instagram.

Ben Collins, head of The Onion’s parent company Global Tetrahedron, said the company plans to continue its satirical approach while also directing some proceeds toward the families affected by Jones’ past statements about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The Onion previously won a bid to purchase Infowars in 2024, but that deal was blocked following objections from Jones regarding the auction process. The current proposal instead involves a licensing arrangement. Under the terms presented to the court, The Onion would license the Infowars name and website from court-appointed manager Gregory Milligan for $81,000 per month, with an option to renew after six months.

The agreement must be approved by Judge Maya Guerra Gamble before it can take effect, and Jones would still have the option to appeal. A decision from the court is expected in the coming weeks.

The legal proceedings surrounding Infowars stem from defamation lawsuits related to Jones’ false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. He was ordered to pay approximately $1.4 billion in damages to victims’ families, prompting efforts to liquidate his assets, including Infowars, to help satisfy those judgments. Jones continues to host The Alex Jones Show on Infowars while the case moves forward.

Separately, Infowars has faced additional challenges in recent years, including incidents involving its staff. Reports indicate that journalists affiliated with the outlet have been targeted by swatting calls, and one reporter, Jamie White, was killed in 2025.

The outcome of the current legal dispute will determine whether The Onion can move forward with its plan to rebrand Infowars as a satirical platform.