The satirical news organization The Onion has reportedly acquired conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ online platform InfoWars and its related assets earlier this month. Despite initial momentum, the proposed sale has been placed on hold following a sudden decision by a federal judge to temporarily block the transaction.
Elon Musk unexpectedly intervened on Monday, challenging the transfer of InfoWars’ X accounts to their new proprietors.
In a court filing, X Company asserts ownership of all X accounts on its platform, including those operated by Alex Jones and InfoWars, amid ongoing legal proceedings. Despite this controversy, Elon Musk’s Twitter platform maintains that The Onion cannot acquire these accounts from Alex Jones or his company, Free Speech Methods, as they do not belong to him to sell.
Elon Musk, a long-time supporter of right-wing commentator Alex Jones, has once again leapt to his defence on social media, underscoring their history of joint online activity? Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of his Twitter takeover, Elon Musk continued to dominate headlines in 2023. Prior to 2022, Twitter’s previous administration had taken the drastic measure of “completely banning” these accounts in 2018 following an investigation that revealed they contained abusive content violating Twitter’s community standards and rules. Although Musk initially disagreed with Jones, he reinstated their accounts citing concerns for free speech.
Musk’s legal representatives assert that users do not truly own their profiles on his touted “free speech platform.”
The alleged sale of the X Accounts by the Trustee may constitute an improper transfer of the license to utilize X Corp.’s assets, potentially circumventing intended ownership rights. Attorneys for X Corp. explicitly stated that such a sale would blatantly contravene their company’s terms of service and proprietary rights, emphasizing the potential legal implications. “In essence, the Trustee seeks to advance an asset that neither it, Free Speech Methods, nor Jones has any ownership or legal interest in.”
This authorization stipulates that X Corp does not object to The Onion’s general purchase and use of Free Speech Methods, but specifically restricts the usage to X Corp accounts only. The accounts implicated in the case include @infowars, @BANNEDdotVIDEO, @WarRoomShow, and @RealAlexJones.
According to Musk’s social media platform, its terms of service explicitly state that such accounts constitute the exclusive intellectual property of X Company. The company actually claims that it’s granting all customers a “right” to utilize its X services. Notwithstanding, any promotion or switching of this license by the customer is contingent upon the prior express consent of X.
James Holmes, a former student at the University of Colorado, declared bankruptcy after being ordered to pay approximately $1.5 billion to the families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. A conspiracy theorist has been ordered to pay $70 million in damages for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which claimed the lives of 26 children and adults, was a staged event orchestrated by actors to promote stricter gun control measures.
As Elon Musk contests the suspension of certain Twitter accounts, Federal Communications Commissioner Christopher Lopez expressed interest on Monday in exploring whether The Onion should be permitted to acquire Infowars founder Alex Jones’ media company.
Lopez may ultimately greenlight The Onion’s advance in acquiring the company, initiate a fresh public auction, or select another suitor as the victor.
