WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Alex Jones’ appeal, leaving in place a $1.4 billion judgment against the conspiracy theorist over his false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Jones, the host of Infowars, had argued that a judge erred in finding him liable for defamation and the infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial on the merits of the allegations filed by the families of victims.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued on October 10, 2025, was brief and did not invite responses from the families of the victims, who had already won the defamation suit. The court’s action effectively upholds the judgment against Jones, which stemmed from his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax staged by crisis actors.
Background of the Case
In 2012, the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, left 20 first graders and six educators dead. In the years following, Alex Jones propagated unfounded conspiracy theories about the event, falsely claiming it was staged and that the families of victims were actors. These claims sparked significant emotional distress among the grieving families and led them to file lawsuits against Jones.
In late 2021, Judge Barbara Bellis issued a default ruling against Jones, citing his repeated failure to comply with court orders, including withholding key documents. This led to a jury trial in 2022, which resulted in a $964 million verdict, later augmented by an additional $473 million in punitive damages.
Jones had previously filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, citing financial struggles, and his lawyers argued that the plaintiffs would never be able to collect the full judgment. Despite this, the Supreme Court’s decision to leave the judgment intact signals a victory for the Sandy Hook families and a significant defeat for Jones.
Ongoing Legal Challenges for Alex Jones
Jones is also involved in a $49 million defamation lawsuit in Texas related to his similar claims about Sandy Hook, for which he failed to produce documents requested by the families of the victims. In addition, the liquidation of his company Infowars, which was auctioned off in a bid to settle these legal debts, has faced complications. The Onion had won the auction to buy Infowars’ assets, but a bankruptcy judge later ruled that the auction process had issues and invalidated the sale.
The legal battle continues, with efforts to liquidate Infowars’ assets now moving to Texas state court. Jones’ personal property is also being sold off as part of his bankruptcy case.
Impact of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene in the case solidifies the $1.4 billion judgment, marking a significant moment in the fight for justice for the families affected by Jones’ conspiracy theories. The legal fallout for Jones underscores the serious consequences for spreading harmful and unfounded claims, particularly when they target victims of one of the most tragic events in American history.
Closing Line
This story will continue to develop as Alex Jones’ ongoing legal battles unfold, including his appeals, asset liquidation, and future court proceedings.
