‘Poetic justice’: Twitter celebrates as right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones found liable for Sandy Hook defamation
Twitter users have reacted with jubilation to the news that far-right conspiracy theory peddler Alex Jones has been found liable for defaming the families of school shooting victims.
Mr Jones, whose online media outlet Infowars has been spreading hoaxes and extremist fantasies since 1999, had claimed for years that the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut in 2012 was a "false flag" operation by the US government and that its victims were "crisis actors".
Celebration on Twitter was immediate, with many opponents of Mr Jones describing the ruling as "justice" and a victory for truth.
"Resounding, long-awaited justice for the brave Sandy Hook families against brazen harm," wrote Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat representing Connecticut.
Resounding, long-awaited justice for the brave Sandy Hook families against brazen harm. https://t.co/jOTNOlsip1
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 15, 2021
Finally, a horrible person who has to face the consequences of his actions. What a relief for the families he negatively impacted.
Alex Jones Loses Sandy Hook Families’ Lawsuits Over Conspiracy Theories https://t.co/T3NJ9qgCGW— Anne Wheaton (@AnneWheaton) November 15, 2021
California congressman Eric Swalwell also trumpeted the decision, saying: "Propagandist Alex Jones found liable for his vicious lies... happy Monday, America!"
The left-wing advertising pressure group Sleeping Giants called it "a banner day for us", while Tristan Snell, a former New York prosecutor who led the state’s case against Trump University, said the case "shows that you can’t just ignore the justice system and think you’re above the law".
Alex Jones shows that you can’t just ignore the justice system and think you’re above the law. Even if you think you’re right, you have to respond! Steve Bannon is about to learn the same lesson.
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) November 15, 2021
Children’s author Anne Wheaton, who is married to Star Trek actor Wil Wheaton, said: "Finally, a horrible person who has to face the consequences of his actions. What a relief for the families he negatively impacted."
Others branded it "poetic justice", "catharsis" and "finally some accountability". Democratic activist Majid Padellan, known as Brooklyn Dad Defiant, declared: "May they take him for everything."
Finally, some accountability for an extremist that thrives off lies, conspiracy and hate. And justice for Sandy Hook victims, including @lenpoz.
Alex Jones Guilty by Default in All Sandy Hook Defamation Suits https://t.co/0CAHsMiSAT— Liz Wahl (@lizwahl) November 15, 2021
I hope Alex Jones suffers some painful karma.
— Amy (@Ordinary1World) November 15, 2021
Alex Jones has been a mainstay of online conspiracism for many years, shifting from a leading promoter of claims that 9/11 was an "inside job" to a pro-Trump agitator who told Stop the Steal protesters to prepare for "war" in the months before the storming of the US capitol.
Mr Jones himself was not impressed, telling his audience: "It’s all a fraud, ladies and gentlemen. We hardly ever even talked about Sandy Hook... this is modern warfare we’re under."
The parody North Korean news agency DPRK News Service also affected disgruntlement, saying: "Fascist judge’s ruling against Alex Jones leaves DPRK News Service and Michael Cernovich the last truthful news reporters in the English language."
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