Comedian Tim Heidecker, known for his surreal sketches and mockery of the far right, is poised to become the creative director of Infowars if the satirical newspaper The Onion succeeds in its takeover of the conspiracy platform. Pending a Texas court's approval, the Onion plans to lease Infowars for $81,000 a month, with an option to buy, transforming it from a toxic political weapon into a comedy hub.
Background of the Takeover
Infowars, founded by Alex Jones in 1999, has long been a platform for conspiracy theories, including false claims about the Sandy Hook school shooting. In 2022, a court ordered Jones to pay $1.4 billion in defamation damages to the victims' families. To settle the debt, Infowars' parent company was forced to sell assets. The Onion's parent company, Global Tetrahedron, seized the opportunity, though legal hurdles remain after an emergency motion from Jones's team temporarily halted the deal. A new hearing is set for May 28.
Heidecker's Vision
Heidecker plans to initially parody Infowars, embodying a Jones-inspired character with a scratchy voice. The new site will feature a rainbow logo, mocking Jones's claims about chemicals turning frogs gay. "One of my first thoughts is just what a great joke it would be, over time, if we could change the meaning and understanding of the site itself," Heidecker says. He aims to remind people of Jones's destructive impact while hoping to chip away at his audience.
Jones has reacted angrily, accusing Heidecker of producing "pro-pedophile" content, which Heidecker jokingly confirmed. However, Heidecker notes that some of Jones's followers are questioning his literal interpretations of comedy.
New Content and Team
The new Infowars will feature writing, video, and advertisements for supplements, including parody ads. Characters include Jim Haggerty, a "redpilled" former host, played by Brad Holbrook. The team also includes Mia DiPasquale as head of programming, Jamie Brew as a writer, and Matt Carlin as producer. Profits from merchandise sales will support the Sandy Hook families, who have yet to receive compensation.
Future Plans
Eventually, Heidecker plans to shift Infowars from direct parody to a broader comedy hub for diverse, non-mainstream content. "We have to spend some time doing what I think everyone expects" in reflecting "the insanity of that site," he says, but that will have "a relatively short shelf life." He envisions a platform that counters the current fragmented comedy landscape.
Jones has stated he will continue his show on another platform. Meanwhile, the detoxified Infowars aims to provide a counterweight to misinformation, offering comedy that makes people feel less alone in a confusing world.
