The US apex court declined to hear a challenge by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Tuesday (October 14) to a judgment worth $1.4 billion, which was awarded to families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting victims. The Supreme Court judge shunned the appeal of the Connecticut Appellate Court's decision in a defamation lawsuit against him to uphold most of the judgment issued by a judge and jury in 2022 to 14 family members of children and school employees who were killed, and an FBI agent who responded to the shooting. Jones had falsely claimed that the shooting was a hoax.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Supreme Court did not provide a reason for its decision, according to its orders list released.

Jones is the founder of a website called Infowars. He also hosts a popular radio show. For four years in his show, Jones claimed that the shooting was "staged" by gun control activists and that the parents were "crisis actors," but he has since acknowledged it was "100 percent real."&nbsp;Jones filed for personal bankruptcy in his home state of Texas after losing the defamation case.&nbsp;In a statement to CNN on the Supreme Court’s ruling, Chris Mattei, an attorney representing the victims’ families, said: “The supreme court properly rejected Jones’s latest desperate attempt to avoid accountability for the harm he has caused. We look forward to enforcing the jury’s historic verdict and making Jones and Infowars pay for what they have done.” &nbsp;

Jones is the founder of a website called Infowars. He also hosts a popular radio show. For four years in his show, Jones claimed that the shooting was staged by gun control activists.

The US apex court declined to hear a challenge by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Tuesday (October 14) to a judgment worth $1.4 billion, which was awarded to families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting victims. The Supreme Court judge shunned the appeal of the Connecticut Appellate Court's decision in a defamation lawsuit against him to uphold most of the judgment issued by a judge and jury in 2022 to 14 family members of children and school employees who were killed, and an FBI agent who responded to the shooting. Jones had falsely claimed that the shooting was a hoax. The Supreme Court did not provide a reason for its decision, according to its orders list released.

Jones is the founder of a website called Infowars. He also hosts a popular radio show. For four years in his show, Jones claimed that the shooting was "staged" by gun control activists.

US apex court rejects conspiracy theorist's appeal of $1.4 bn defamation judgment. Details here

US Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones‘ Infowars media platform will be auctioned off to pay for the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to cough up in damages to the&nbsp;family members of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.&nbsp;

During a&nbsp;court hearing on Tuesday (Sep 24), US Bankruptcy Judge&nbsp;Christopher Lopez said he would approve the auctions that start in November.&nbsp;

Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for Sandy Hook families said Judge Lopez's decision was a significant step forward in holding the right-wing personality accountable for his actions.&nbsp;

"Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built. This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused,"&nbsp;Mattei said in a statement.

Under the terms of the sale, anyone can bid for Infowars' assets, whether supporters or detractors.&nbsp;

"It's very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems, the website, the equipment, the shopping cart, all that, can be sold. And they know full well that there are a bunch of patriot buyers, and then the operation can ease on,"&nbsp;Jones recently said on his show.

Despite losing the company, Jones had vowed to&nbsp;continue his talk shows through other means - possibly through a new website and on his personal social media handles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the previous court filings,&nbsp;Jones has about $9 million in personal assets and his company has about&nbsp;$6 million in cash on hand and about $1.2 million worth of inventory. He and his company already filed for bankruptcy in 2022.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alex-jones-claimed-2012-sandy-hook-school-massacre-as-staged-was-ordered-to-pay-15-bn-to-victims-539631">Watch |&nbsp;Alex Jones claimed 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre as staged, ordered to pay $1.5 billion to victims</a>

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<h2>Jones' conspiracy theory&nbsp;</h2>

Jones was one of the most prominent conspiracy theorists, spreading lies about the school shooting where 20 children and six teachers were killed.

He accused the families of being actors and claimed that the shooting was a "hoax" as part of an elaborate plan to take away gun rights from American citizens.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/conspiracy-theorist-alex-jones-account-reinstated-on-x-after-being-banned-for-nearly-five-years-668232">Also read |&nbsp;Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years</a>

During the court trials in Texas and Connecticut, the families of the victims testified that they were traumatised by Jones' persistence with the lies and the hoax conspiracies.&nbsp;

The families alleged that&nbsp;Jones' online legion of followers confronted them by claiming that the shooting never happened and that the kids never existed.&nbsp;

Since then, Jones has acknowledged that the Sandy Hook shooting was "100 per cent real".&nbsp;

"Especially since I've met the parents. It's 100% real," Jones said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

US Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones‘ Infowars media platform will be auctioned off to pay for the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to cough up in damages to the family members of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

US Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones‘ Infowars media platform will be auctioned off to pay for the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to cough up in damages to the family members of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. During a court hearing on Tuesday (Sep 24), US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez said he would approve the auctions that start in November. Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for Sandy Hook families said Judge Lopez's decision was a significant step forward in holding the right-wing personality accountable for his actions. "Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built. This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused," Mattei said in a statement. Under the terms of the sale, anyone can bid for Infowars' assets, whether supporters or detractors. "It's very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems, the website, the equipment, the shopping cart, all that, can be sold. And they know full well that there are a bunch of patriot buyers, and then the operation can ease on," Jones recently said on his show. Despite losing the company, Jones had vowed to continue his talk shows through other means - possibly through a new website and on his personal social media handles. According to the previous court filings, Jones has about $9 million in personal assets and his company has about $6 million in cash on hand and about $1.2 million worth of inventory. He and his company already filed for bankruptcy in 2022. Watch | Alex Jones claimed 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre as staged, ordered to pay $1.5 billion to victims × Jones' conspiracy theory Jones was one of the most prominent conspiracy theorists, spreading lies about the school shooting where 20 children and six teachers were killed. He accused the families of being actors and claimed that the shooting was a "hoax" as part of an elaborate plan to take away gun rights from American citizens. Also read | Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years During the court trials in Texas and Connecticut, the families of the victims testified that they were traumatised by Jones' persistence with the lies and the hoax conspiracies. The families alleged that Jones' online legion of followers confronted them by claiming that the shooting never happened and that the kids never existed. Since then, Jones has acknowledged that the Sandy Hook shooting was "100 per cent real". "Especially since I've met the parents. It's 100% real," Jones said. (With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars to be auctioned to pay off $1.5 billion lawsuit

Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday showed the account of U.S. right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to have been reinstated as a poll organized by owner Elon Musk backed his return after a ban of nearly five years.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones reinstated on X after Musk poll

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return.&nbsp;

The poll was posted on Saturday (Dec 9) and was active for more than 12 hours. Musk had asked users to vote on whether or not to lift a ban on Jones, which was imposed before he bought the platform, adding that he would listen to the people and honour the result.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musks-twitter-now-x-sues-non-profit-that-documented-the-rise-in-hate-speech-on-platform-621407">Musk’s Twitter, now X, sues non-profit that documented rise in hate speech on platform</a>

Nearly two million people voted by the time the poll closed and around 70 per cent voted in favour of Jones’ return. In a subsequent post, Musk said, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.”&nbsp;

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Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform? 
 
Vox Populi, Vox Dei.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1733529033575465381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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While there is no confirmation from Musk, X or Alex Jones himself that his account has been reinstated, his account “@RealAlexJones” no longer indicates that it was banned with the last post from September 6, 2018, the day X, then Twitter, had permanently banned his account and website Infowars from its platform.&nbsp;

At the time, Twitter had said that Jones’ accounts had violated its behaviour policies weeks after most platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Apple had taken down his podcasts and channels citing community standards.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-twitter-account-reappears-after-elon-musk-announces-reinstatement-535683">Musk brings back Trump's Twitter account, but he's not back, yet</a>

<h2>Who is the infamous conspiracy theorist?</h2>

Alex Jones has repeatedly made headlines for all the wrong reasons, including his outlandish conspiracy theories on his website Infowars. However, he is most famous for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults was “staged” as part of a government plot to seize Americans’ guns.

He has since been ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the victims’ family members by the American courts who said that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment. They also reportedly received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aint-going-to-be-happening-alex-jones-denies-to-pay-965-million-damages-to-sandy-hook-victims-families-525426">‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families</a>

Jones was banned from Twitter&nbsp;in 2018. It is worth noting that Musk, who is a self-described free-speech absolutist, had previously ignored calls from the Infowars host’s supporters to reinstate his account.&nbsp;

The X owner cited the death of his 10-week-old baby, in 2022, as motivation for not reversing the ban saying, “I have no mercy for anyone who would use the death of children for gain, politics or fame.”

Musk, on Saturday in response to one user’s post, said he “vehemently” disagreed with Jones’ statements about Sandy Hook, adding “but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not?”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return. The poll was posted on Saturday (Dec 9) and was active for more than 12 hours. Musk had asked users to vote on whether or not to lift a ban on Jones, which was imposed before he bought the platform, adding that he would listen to the people and honour the result. ALSO READ | Musk’s Twitter, now X, sues non-profit that documented rise in hate speech on platform Nearly two million people voted by the time the poll closed and around 70 per cent voted in favour of Jones’ return. In a subsequent post, Musk said, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.” Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform? Vox Populi, Vox Dei. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2023 × While there is no confirmation from Musk, X or Alex Jones himself that his account has been reinstated, his account “@RealAlexJones” no longer indicates that it was banned with the last post from September 6, 2018, the day X, then Twitter, had permanently banned his account and website Infowars from its platform. At the time, Twitter had said that Jones’ accounts had violated its behaviour policies weeks after most platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Apple had taken down his podcasts and channels citing community standards. ALSO READ | Musk brings back Trump's Twitter account, but he's not back, yet Who is the infamous conspiracy theorist? Alex Jones has repeatedly made headlines for all the wrong reasons, including his outlandish conspiracy theories on his website Infowars. However, he is most famous for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults was “staged” as part of a government plot to seize Americans’ guns. He has since been ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the victims’ family members by the American courts who said that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment. They also reportedly received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones. ALSO READ | ‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families Jones was banned from Twitter in 2018. It is worth noting that Musk, who is a self-described free-speech absolutist, had previously ignored calls from the Infowars host’s supporters to reinstate his account. The X owner cited the death of his 10-week-old baby, in 2022, as motivation for not reversing the ban saying, “I have no mercy for anyone who would use the death of children for gain, politics or fame.” Musk, on Saturday in response to one user’s post, said he “vehemently” disagreed with Jones’ statements about Sandy Hook, adding “but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not?” (With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years

US President Joe Biden on Friday appealed to the country's political leaders to denounce anti-Semitism, in the wake of Donald Trump hosting a Holocaust denier and rapper Kanye West declaring his admiration for Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

US President Joe Biden on Friday appealed to the country's political leaders to denounce anti-Semitism, in the wake of Donald Trump hosting a Holocaust denier and rapper Kanye West declaring his admiration for Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. The warning was issued by Biden at a time when concerns are being raised over anti-Semitic discourse's normalisation in the United States. "I just want to make a few things clear: The Holocaust happened. Hitler was a demonic figure. And instead of giving it a platform, our political leaders should be calling out and rejecting antisemitism wherever it hides,” tweeted Biden. "Silence is complicity," he added. Biden made the statement a day after West, who is now known by the name Ye, was thrown out of Twitter after he tried to incite violence with his post which displayed a Nazi swastika interlaced with a Star of David. ALSO READ | Twitter suppressed Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, internal emails reveal This Twitter ban was immediately followed by another unhinged interview taken by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, in which West was seen covering his complete face with a black mask and professing his "love" for the Nazis and strongly stating "I like Hitler." Previously, Donal Trump faced backlash from the White House for hosting the Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and West at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last week. In his defence, Trump said that West brought along several of his friends uninvited, among which one was Fuentes, who is an outspoken anti-Semite and a white supremacist and whose YouTube channel was suspended permanently over hate speech in 2020. West has not been the only celebrity to have caused an uproar with an anti-Semitic statement of late, another such celebrity is NBA star Kyrie Irving who recently faced suspension and apologised for linking to a movie, which was labelled as anti-Semitic. White supremacist ideology Elon Musk's decision to cut back moderation after he bought Twitter has led to an exacerbation of unease about the spread of hate speech. The Anti-Defamation League published data on Friday which said that there has been a surge of more than 60% in anti-Semitic tweets which are related to Judaism and Jews in the past two weeks after Musk's takeover of Twitter. The rhetoric matches the steady increase in the occurrence of hateful incidents targeted towards Jews. It was discovered by the Anti-Defamation League that reports related to vandalism, harassment and violence against Jews increased drastically, reaching an all-time high, in the United States in 2021. In 2019, the country had to deal with a shocking incident of deadly shootings which targeted synagogues in Pittsburgh and California. ALSO READ | Trump knew about tax fraud in his company, says prosecution in closing arguments In both scenarios, the attackers belonged to the far-right that supports hate against African Americans, Jews, Muslims and immigrants and advocates for a Christian, Caucasian society which is based on European culture. After the twin attacks, concerns were reinforced about anti-Semitic hatred becoming a rallying point for resurged white supremacists, who had received encouragement after Trump had failed to condemn their ideology unequivocally. The former president's critics, which include Republican rebels like Liz Cheney, have slammed the party for enabling anti-Semitism and white supremacy under Trump's sway. Biden, who has himself claimed that he decided to run for president after hearing Trump's refusal to denounce a neo-Nazi rally organised in Charlottesville in 2017, has spoken repeatedly against the ideology which he believes "tears at the soul" of the nation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Joe Biden says 'silence is complicity' in his call to denounce anti-semitism

US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has filed for bankruptcy. This comes less than two months after Jones faced court orders to pay nearly 1.5 billion dollars in damages to relatives of victims of 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting.

Alex Jones claimed 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre as staged, was ordered to pay $1.5 BN to victims

Alex Jones, a far-right US conspiracy theorist who has been ordered to pay up to $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school massacre victims, filed for bankruptcy on Friday. Jones, who falsely asserted for years that the 2012 massacre was fake, submitted a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition to a Texas court. He stated in the petition that he had obligations of between $1 billion and $10 billion and assets valued between $1 million and $10 million. Jones, the founder of the website InfoWars and the broadcaster of a well-known radio programme, has been held responsible for defamation in a number of cases brought by the family members of the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy that left 20 children and six teachers dead.

In October, a Connecticut jury decided to pay $965 million to the families of the eight Sandy Hook victims as well as to the FBI agent who had sued Jones for slander. Later, the trial's judge added an extra $473 million in punitive damages.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-barack-obama-pauses-his-speech-to-let-a-four-year-old-speak-at-atlanta-rally-539430">Barack Obama pauses his speech to let a four-year-old speak at Atlanta rally</a>

In a separate trial, a jury in Texas found Jones liable for the death of a couple's six-year-old son by the 20-year-old shooter who carried out the Sandy Hook massacre.

A second Jones-owned company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy in July after InfoWars filed for bankruptcy in April. A debtor may restructure their assets in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case with the assistance of the court.

Jones cited his debts to a number of the Sandy Hook families in the personal bankruptcy petition, where he also claimed that he has between 50 and 99 creditors.

Next rapper Kanye West's controversial appearance on the InfoWars show, when he professed his "love" of Nazis and respect for Adolf Hitler, Jones filed for bankruptcy the following day.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-rejects-joe-bidens-terms-for-ukraine-talks-says-offensive-will-continue-539410">Russia rejects Joe Biden's terms for Ukraine talks, says offensive will continue</a>

The Sandy Hook tragedy was "manufactured" by pro-gun control activists, according to Jones, who also claimed that the parents were "crisis actors" on his programme for years. However, Jones has subsequently conceded that it was "100 per cent genuine."

Jones was charged with making enormous earnings from the specific products he allegedly sold on his website.

Jones, a fervent follower of former US&nbsp;president Donald Trump, is also being investigated in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Alex Jones, a far-right US conspiracy theorist who has been ordered to pay up to $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school massacre victims, filed for bankruptcy on Friday.

Alex Jones, a far-right US conspiracy theorist who has been ordered to pay up to $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school massacre victims, filed for bankruptcy on Friday. Jones, who falsely asserted for years that the 2012 massacre was fake, submitted a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition to a Texas court. He stated in the petition that he had obligations of between $1 billion and $10 billion and assets valued between $1 million and $10 million. Jones, the founder of the website InfoWars and the broadcaster of a well-known radio programme, has been held responsible for defamation in a number of cases brought by the family members of the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy that left 20 children and six teachers dead. In October, a Connecticut jury decided to pay $965 million to the families of the eight Sandy Hook victims as well as to the FBI agent who had sued Jones for slander. Later, the trial's judge added an extra $473 million in punitive damages. Also read | Barack Obama pauses his speech to let a four-year-old speak at Atlanta rally In a separate trial, a jury in Texas found Jones liable for the death of a couple's six-year-old son by the 20-year-old shooter who carried out the Sandy Hook massacre. A second Jones-owned company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy in July after InfoWars filed for bankruptcy in April. A debtor may restructure their assets in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case with the assistance of the court. Jones cited his debts to a number of the Sandy Hook families in the personal bankruptcy petition, where he also claimed that he has between 50 and 99 creditors. Next rapper Kanye West's controversial appearance on the InfoWars show, when he professed his "love" of Nazis and respect for Adolf Hitler, Jones filed for bankruptcy the following day. Also read | Russia rejects Joe Biden's terms for Ukraine talks, says offensive will continue The Sandy Hook tragedy was "manufactured" by pro-gun control activists, according to Jones, who also claimed that the parents were "crisis actors" on his programme for years. However, Jones has subsequently conceded that it was "100 per cent genuine." Jones was charged with making enormous earnings from the specific products he allegedly sold on his website. Jones, a fervent follower of former US president Donald Trump, is also being investigated in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones declares bankruptcy in Texas court

The American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has now been ordered to pay additional $473 million for promoting false conspiracy theories about the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre. He is now on the hook for nearly about $1.5 million to be paid for damages.

'Trial is unfair, assault on free speech,' says Alex Jones; to pay $473 mn for misinformation | WION

Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, has been ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $965 million in damages to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members.&nbsp;

This is the second tranche of damages that Jones has been ordered to pay after a Texas court last year ordered the founder of InfoWars to pay $49.3 million to separate parents of the shooting incident.&nbsp;

The judgement followed a three-week trial where both parties gave testimonies in Waterbury, Connecticut. After nearly a decade of claiming that the Sandy Hook shooting was a staged government plot only to enforce gun control laws, Jones has&nbsp;acknowledged that the attack was 100 per cent real.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alex-jones-infowars-files-for-bankruptcy-in-us-court-472010">Read more:&nbsp;Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court</a>

As reported extensively by WION, Jones was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year. Since then, he has been running from pillar to post to plead his innocence.&nbsp;

Reportedly, in the final round of testimonies last week, Jones gave a rather impassioned speech and said, "I've already said I'm sorry hundreds of times, and I'm done saying I'm sorry."&nbsp;

The dramatic testimony managed to bring a few teary eyes in the courtroom but the six-member jury was not to be swayed.&nbsp;

However, this is not the end of Jones' problems. He is expected to face a third defamation trial which takes place in Texas later this year, in connection with the shooting.&nbsp;

For years, Jones used lies to drive traffic to his Infowars website and managed to create a&nbsp;following. However, earlier this year,&nbsp;Free Speech Systems, the&nbsp;parent company of InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/conspiracy-theorist-alex-jones-owned-free-speech-systems-files-for-bankruptcy-501981">Read more:&nbsp;Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones owned Free Speech Systems files for bankruptcy</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

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Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, has been ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $965 million in damages to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members.

Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, has been ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $965 million in damages to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members. This is the second tranche of damages that Jones has been ordered to pay after a Texas court last year ordered the founder of InfoWars to pay $49.3 million to separate parents of the shooting incident. The judgement followed a three-week trial where both parties gave testimonies in Waterbury, Connecticut. After nearly a decade of claiming that the Sandy Hook shooting was a staged government plot only to enforce gun control laws, Jones has acknowledged that the attack was 100 per cent real. Read more: Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court As reported extensively by WION, Jones was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year. Since then, he has been running from pillar to post to plead his innocence. Reportedly, in the final round of testimonies last week, Jones gave a rather impassioned speech and said, "I've already said I'm sorry hundreds of times, and I'm done saying I'm sorry." The dramatic testimony managed to bring a few teary eyes in the courtroom but the six-member jury was not to be swayed. However, this is not the end of Jones' problems. He is expected to face a third defamation trial which takes place in Texas later this year, in connection with the shooting. For years, Jones used lies to drive traffic to his Infowars website and managed to create a following. However, earlier this year, Free Speech Systems, the parent company of InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection. Read more: Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones owned Free Speech Systems files for bankruptcy (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million in damages to Sandy Hook victims' families

A US jury has ordered Infowars owner Alex Jones on Wednesday to pay victims' families $965 million in damages for falsely claiming that the deadly 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting was a hoax.

Infowars owner Alex Jones ordered to pay Sandy Hook victims' families $965 mn over hoax claims

Free Speech Systems, the&nbsp;parent company of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection on Friday (July 29) as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated about the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre.

The bankruptcy filing by the InfoWars parent, Free Speech Systems LLC, would normally result in the trial and related litigation being halted.

Reportedly, Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational.

However, Free Speech plans to ask a bankruptcy judge to allow the trial currently underway in Texas to continue and is seeking an emergency hearing on Monday, according to a court filing.

Nevertheless, Jones and his company could later attempt to use the bankruptcy proceedings, which commenced in another Texas court, to limit the size of any damages a jury awards.

Alex Jones had previously filed for bankruptcy too

A bankruptcy filing by three other InfoWars entities in April proposed $10 million to resolve the litigation, far less than what the Sandy Hook families are seeking. The proposal contemplated legal releases shielding Jones and his company from the lawsuits in exchange for the payment.

The entities that previously declared bankruptcy viz. InfoW, IW Health and Prison Planet, voluntarily ended their cases in June after the Sandy Hook families dropped them as defendants in the defamation litigation.

Read&nbsp;more:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alex-jones-infowars-files-for-bankruptcy-in-us-court-472010">&nbsp;Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court</a>

Jones was found liable last year in lawsuits Sandy Hook families filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 school massacre was a hoax.

The unusual judgments occurred after Jones defied court orders to turn over documents in the litigation. The cases were then teed up for trials to determine damages, with the first one now underway in an Austin, Texas courtroom.

Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media. Jones has since acknowledged the shooting happened.

Free Speech Systems believes it is in its best interests to continue the current damages trial because substantial resources have been spent on both sides, and the Sandy Hook plaintiffs would likely fight to keep the trial going despite the bankruptcy filing, W. Marc Schwartz, the company's restructuring advisor, said in a court filing.

The Sandy Hook families had opposed the previous April bankruptcy filing as a "sinister" attempt by Jones to shield his assets from liability.

Explaining the current bankruptcy filing, Schwartz said the Sandy Hook litigation resulted in InfoWars being shunned by significant internet, social media and financial institutions. The company's business suffered as a result, he said.

Mark Bankston, a lawyer representing Sandy Hook families, said he looked forward to continuing to put on his case for jurors, which is expected to include testimony as soon as Monday from the parents of one of the children murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary.

"Our clients are pleased that despite the bankruptcy, their trial will continue and that the jury will return a verdict," Bankston told Reuters in a text message. "Now, InfoWars is heading directly for its long-awaited, reckoning."

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Free Speech Systems, the parent company of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection on Friday (July 29) as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated about the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre.

Free Speech Systems, the parent company of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection on Friday (July 29) as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated about the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. The bankruptcy filing by the InfoWars parent, Free Speech Systems LLC, would normally result in the trial and related litigation being halted. Reportedly, Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational. However, Free Speech plans to ask a bankruptcy judge to allow the trial currently underway in Texas to continue and is seeking an emergency hearing on Monday, according to a court filing. Nevertheless, Jones and his company could later attempt to use the bankruptcy proceedings, which commenced in another Texas court, to limit the size of any damages a jury awards. Alex Jones had previously filed for bankruptcy too A bankruptcy filing by three other InfoWars entities in April proposed $10 million to resolve the litigation, far less than what the Sandy Hook families are seeking. The proposal contemplated legal releases shielding Jones and his company from the lawsuits in exchange for the payment. The entities that previously declared bankruptcy viz. InfoW, IW Health and Prison Planet, voluntarily ended their cases in June after the Sandy Hook families dropped them as defendants in the defamation litigation. Read more: Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court Jones was found liable last year in lawsuits Sandy Hook families filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 school massacre was a hoax. The unusual judgments occurred after Jones defied court orders to turn over documents in the litigation. The cases were then teed up for trials to determine damages, with the first one now underway in an Austin, Texas courtroom. Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media. Jones has since acknowledged the shooting happened. Free Speech Systems believes it is in its best interests to continue the current damages trial because substantial resources have been spent on both sides, and the Sandy Hook plaintiffs would likely fight to keep the trial going despite the bankruptcy filing, W. Marc Schwartz, the company's restructuring advisor, said in a court filing. The Sandy Hook families had opposed the previous April bankruptcy filing as a "sinister" attempt by Jones to shield his assets from liability. Explaining the current bankruptcy filing, Schwartz said the Sandy Hook litigation resulted in InfoWars being shunned by significant internet, social media and financial institutions. The company's business suffered as a result, he said. Mark Bankston, a lawyer representing Sandy Hook families, said he looked forward to continuing to put on his case for jurors, which is expected to include testimony as soon as Monday from the parents of one of the children murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary. "Our clients are pleased that despite the bankruptcy, their trial will continue and that the jury will return a verdict," Bankston told Reuters in a text message. "Now, InfoWars is heading directly for its long-awaited, reckoning." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones owned Free Speech Systems files for bankruptcy

Far-right wing website InfoWars on Sunday filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in the face of multiple defamation lawsuits.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational.

Alex Jones, founder of InfoWars, was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax.

Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media.

Sandy Hook families in late March rejected Jones' offer to settle their defamation lawsuit and reopened the case. Jones had offered to pay $120,000 to each of the 13 plaintiffs to settle the case.

Each of the plaintiffs turned down the settlement offer in court documents, saying, "The so-called offer is a transparent and desperate attempt by Alex Jones to escape a public reckoning under oath with his deceitful, profit-driven campaign against the plaintiffs and the memory of their loved ones lost at Sandy Hook."

According to Sunday's court filings, InfoWars listed its estimated assets in the range of $0-$50,000 and estimated liabilities in the range of $1 million to $10 million.

Jones, a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump, was previously subpoenaed by the House of Representatives committee probing the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

Far-right wing website InfoWars on Sunday filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in the face of multiple defamation lawsuits.

Far-right wing website InfoWars on Sunday filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in the face of multiple defamation lawsuits. Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational. Alex Jones, founder of InfoWars, was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax. Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media. Sandy Hook families in late March rejected Jones' offer to settle their defamation lawsuit and reopened the case. Jones had offered to pay $120,000 to each of the 13 plaintiffs to settle the case. Each of the plaintiffs turned down the settlement offer in court documents, saying, "The so-called offer is a transparent and desperate attempt by Alex Jones to escape a public reckoning under oath with his deceitful, profit-driven campaign against the plaintiffs and the memory of their loved ones lost at Sandy Hook." According to Sunday's court filings, InfoWars listed its estimated assets in the range of $0-$50,000 and estimated liabilities in the range of $1 million to $10 million. Jones, a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump, was previously subpoenaed by the House of Representatives committee probing the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court

Facebook on Thursday banned controversial black <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-bans-uk-far-right-groups-including-bnp-edl-britain-first-211564">activist leader Louis Farrakhan</a>, far-right icon Alex Jones and several others in a heightened crackdown on hate content at the leading social network.

"We've always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology," Facebook said in a statement.

The most prominent to be banned were Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam, accused of being anti-Semitic and black supremacist; and Jones, the far-right conspiracy theorist best known for calling the 9/11 attacks an inside job and describing the Sandy Hook school massacre as a hoax. Jones's organization Infowars was also banned by Facebook.

Others banned Thursday from Facebook and Instagram were Paul Nehlen, a political candidate espousing white supremacist views; Milo Yiannopoulos, know for neo-Nazi rhetoric; and conspiracy theorists Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Loomer.

Facebook announced the bans on the grounds they violated policies against dangerous individuals and organizations.

"Individuals and organizations who spread hate, or attack or call for the exclusion of others on the basis of who they are, have no place on Facebook," a spokeswoman for Facebook said.

Such bans typically include prohibiting others at the social network from using the platform to post praise or support from those no longer welcomed.

"Today's announcement from Facebook is a step in the right direction," said Cristina Lopez G., deputy director for extremism at nonprofit watchdog group Media Matters for America.

"The majority of the newly banned figures -&nbsp;Yiannopoulos, Loomer, Watson, Jones, and Nehlen -&nbsp;owed their influence to the massive reach they were allowed to cultivate through Facebook and Instagram." Banning the accounts should help limit the spread of radical and often violent far-right ideology, according to Lopez.

Facebook last month banned various far-right British groups including the English Defense League from its network for promoting hate and violence.

Other groups kicked off both Facebook or Instagram last month included Knights Templar International, Britain First, the British National Party (BNP) and the National Front.

The tech titan banned the groups for contravening its policy forbidding "terrorist activity, organized hate, mass or serial murder, human trafficking or organized violence or criminal activity".

Former BNP leader Nick Griffin and Britain First leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen were also been banned in the crackdown.

Facebook on Thursday banned controversial black activist leader Louis Farrakhan, far-right icon Alex Jones and several others in a heightened crackdown on hate content at the leading social network.

Facebook on Thursday banned controversial black activist leader Louis Farrakhan, far-right icon Alex Jones and several others in a heightened crackdown on hate content at the leading social network. "We've always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology," Facebook said in a statement. The most prominent to be banned were Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam, accused of being anti-Semitic and black supremacist; and Jones, the far-right conspiracy theorist best known for calling the 9/11 attacks an inside job and describing the Sandy Hook school massacre as a hoax. Jones's organization Infowars was also banned by Facebook. Others banned Thursday from Facebook and Instagram were Paul Nehlen, a political candidate espousing white supremacist views; Milo Yiannopoulos, know for neo-Nazi rhetoric; and conspiracy theorists Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Loomer. Facebook announced the bans on the grounds they violated policies against dangerous individuals and organizations. "Individuals and organizations who spread hate, or attack or call for the exclusion of others on the basis of who they are, have no place on Facebook," a spokeswoman for Facebook said. Such bans typically include prohibiting others at the social network from using the platform to post praise or support from those no longer welcomed. "Today's announcement from Facebook is a step in the right direction," said Cristina Lopez G., deputy director for extremism at nonprofit watchdog group Media Matters for America. "The majority of the newly banned figures - Yiannopoulos, Loomer, Watson, Jones, and Nehlen - owed their influence to the massive reach they were allowed to cultivate through Facebook and Instagram." Banning the accounts should help limit the spread of radical and often violent far-right ideology, according to Lopez. Facebook last month banned various far-right British groups including the English Defense League from its network for promoting hate and violence. Other groups kicked off both Facebook or Instagram last month included Knights Templar International, Britain First, the British National Party (BNP) and the National Front. The tech titan banned the groups for contravening its policy forbidding "terrorist activity, organized hate, mass or serial murder, human trafficking or organized violence or criminal activity". Former BNP leader Nick Griffin and Britain First leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen were also been banned in the crackdown.

Facebook bans Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones and Milo Yiannopoulos

Social media giant Facebook has banned Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones and others saying that the people it banned violated a set of policies that prohibit “dangerous individuals and organizations. Watch full video to know more.

Facebook bans ‘Dangerous individuals’ including Louis Farrakhan and Alex Jones

A woman from&nbsp;Florida has been charged with making death threats to the parents of a child who died in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting massacre,&nbsp;because&nbsp;she thought it was a hoax, the Associated Press quote police as saying.

The US Justice Department said that Lucy Richards, 57, of Tampa was arrested. Court documents cited by Associated Press reveal that dating back from January 10, she said:&nbsp;&quot;you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon&quot;,&nbsp;&quot;LOOK BEHIND YOU IT IS DEATH&quot;, and&nbsp;&quot;there&#39;s nothing you can do about it&quot;.

Several people&nbsp;connected&nbsp;to the Sandy Hook massacre also have reportedly been harassed by conspiracy theorists, who say&nbsp;that the mass shooting was only faked, with actors, to create a pretext to crack down on America&#39;s Second Amendment right to&nbsp;own guns.

The influential far-right talk show host&nbsp;and Trump booster Alex Jones, who also pushes&nbsp;conspiracy theories on the website Infowars,&nbsp;promoted such Sandy Hook conspiracies.&nbsp;&quot;Sandy Hook is a synthetic completely fake with actors, in my view, manufactured,&quot; he has <a href="http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2016/sep/01/hillary-clinton/hillary-clinton-correct-austins-alex-jones-said-no/">said</a>.

Alex Jones has also promoted&nbsp;the &quot;pizzagate&quot; conspiracy, which is based on&nbsp;an unfounded and perverse misreading of a&nbsp;series of emails sent between high-levell Democrats,&nbsp;intercepted and published by the website WikiLeaks, that turns&nbsp;mundane remarks about pizza into code words.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/man-self-investigating-fake-news-story-about-democrat-child-sex-ring-fires-shots-inside-us-pizzeria-9746">conspiracy posits</a> that the&nbsp;Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and her campaign manager John Podesta, operate a child paedophilia ring in underground tunnels, where children are also tortured, below a Washington pizzeria, called Comet Ping Pong. Also,&nbsp;Podesta drinks bodily fluids in secret satanic or occult rituals.&nbsp;

None of this has been proven true. The owner of Comet Ping Pong denied the claims, adding that the restaurant doesn&#39;t even have a basement.

(WION)

She believed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones who says the Sandy Hook massacre, where 20 elementary school students were shot dead, was a hoax

A woman from Florida has been charged with making death threats to the parents of a child who died in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting massacre, because she thought it was a hoax, the Associated Press quote police as saying. The US Justice Department said that Lucy Richards, 57, of Tampa was arrested. Court documents cited by Associated Press reveal that dating back from January 10, she said: "you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon", "LOOK BEHIND YOU IT IS DEATH", and "there's nothing you can do about it". Several people connected to the Sandy Hook massacre also have reportedly been harassed by conspiracy theorists, who say that the mass shooting was only faked, with actors, to create a pretext to crack down on America's Second Amendment right to own guns. The influential far-right talk show host and Trump booster Alex Jones, who also pushes conspiracy theories on the website Infowars, promoted such Sandy Hook conspiracies. "Sandy Hook is a synthetic completely fake with actors, in my view, manufactured," he has said. Alex Jones has also promoted the "pizzagate" conspiracy, which is based on an unfounded and perverse misreading of a series of emails sent between high-levell Democrats, intercepted and published by the website WikiLeaks, that turns mundane remarks about pizza into code words. The conspiracy posits that the Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and her campaign manager John Podesta, operate a child paedophilia ring in underground tunnels, where children are also tortured, below a Washington pizzeria, called Comet Ping Pong. Also, Podesta drinks bodily fluids in secret satanic or occult rituals. None of this has been proven true. The owner of Comet Ping Pong denied the claims, adding that the restaurant doesn't even have a basement. (WION)

US woman charged for making death threats to parent of Sandy Hook victim

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