Auction to Settle $1 Billion Sandy Hook Debt
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is fighting to retain control over his personal social media accounts amid the upcoming auction of his Infowars media platform. The auction, part of a bankruptcy settlement, aims to help pay the $1 billion he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims. Jones argues that including his personal accounts in the auction would violate his privacy and deprive him of an opportunity to rebuild his career post-bankruptcy.
The trustee overseeing the liquidation of Infowars and its parent company, Free Speech Systems (FSS), has requested a federal judge to include Jones’s personal accounts as part of the assets for sale in auctions scheduled for November and December. A decision on this request has been postponed for at least a week.
Legal Dispute Over Personal vs. Business Assets
Jones’s attorneys assert that his personal social media accounts, which use his real name, are not the property of Infowars or FSS but are part of his personal identity. They argue that selling these accounts would infringe on Jones’s “persona,” making them assets that cannot be owned or transferred to another individual.
The trustee, Christopher Murray, contends that Jones’s social media accounts have been used extensively to promote Infowars content and therefore represent valuable assets that could generate significant interest among potential buyers. Some of Jones’s accounts, such as his X (formerly Twitter) account, have amassed millions of followers, enhancing their market value.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez emphasized the need for clarity before proceeding with the potential sale of these accounts. “I want a purchaser or a bidder to know exactly what they think they can buy. I don’t want to create litigation risk for a potential purchaser,” said Lopez.
Infowars Assets Up for Auction
The trustee is not only seeking to sell Jones’s social media accounts but also his intellectual property, including the rights to royalties from his book The Great Reset: And the War for the World, published in 2022, and his 2023 video game, Alex Jones NWO Wars. The video game features Jones as the central character in a shooting game, portraying him as a hero.
Despite the imminent loss of Infowars, Jones has vowed to continue his broadcasting efforts. He has suggested launching a new website and relying on his personal social media channels for future communication. He has also hinted that Infowars supporters might purchase the brand’s assets, allowing him to remain involved in some capacity as an employee under new ownership in Austin, Texas.
Battle Over Valuable Social Media Assets
The debate over Jones’s social media accounts is part of a broader discussion on the value of such assets in the modern digital landscape. The trustee argued that social media accounts of prominent figures—such as influencers, celebrities, and political personalities—are now considered highly valuable assets. The significant followings Jones has amassed make his accounts particularly attractive to potential buyers.
Jones’s legal team cautioned that the sale of his accounts could trigger future litigation, depending on the identity of the buyer. “There is value to some folks in buying these assets and using them in one way, and value to other folks to use them in another way,” said Vickie Driver, one of Jones’s attorneys.