Alex Jones must pay $965 million in damages to families of 8 Sandy Hook victims
NBCDec 23, 2022
The Facts
A Connecticut jury decided on Wednesday that Infowars founder Alex Jones should pay $965M to individuals who suffered from his claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax.
Jones's trial lasted three weeks and included testimony from the parents of victims, school employees, and an FBI agent who responded to the shooting. The case itself was a consolidation of three separate suits.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Not only did Jones flagrantly disrespect the families of the children who died at Sandy Hook, but he also profited from it. After almost ten years, justice has been served, as Jones will likely lose his media empire, which is a dangerous hotbed of conspiracy theories and disinformation. Hopefully, this trial will set a precedent that individuals can't spout vitriolic nonsense that harms victims of tragic events for political and financial gain.
Establishment-critical narrative
This is a sad day for freedom of speech in the US. The American political elite doesn't want the public asking questions, especially regarding things that may counter the dominant narrative around gun control and other civil liberties. Like him or hate him, Jones has a right to freedom of speech and to explore the political class's anti-American narratives.
