Alex Jones, the controversial host of Infowars, is known for promoting conspiracy theories on his show. Among these baseless theories is the claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 was a hoax. He also supported former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the election results. Despite his controversial views, Jones continues to sell dietary supplements through Amazon, a major online retailer. This article delves into the business practices of Alex Jones, his dietary supplements, and the controversy surrounding his platform.
Alex Jones's Business on Amazon: Infowars Life
Searching for "Alex Jones" on Amazon leads to his online storefront, Infowars Life, which sells dietary supplements. Infowars operates as a third-party seller on Amazon, similar to many other businesses. Jones sells supplements like Brain Force, which claims to boost memory. He previously sold a toothpaste that he falsely claimed could fight COVID-19, leading to a warning letter from the FDA. This product is no longer available.
At the top of his Amazon storefront, Jones thanks customers for supporting Infowars, suggesting that purchasing his products funds his extremist causes. In a recent pitch on his show, he emphasized the need for funding to expand his operations and help more people, urging listeners to buy his products, such as Vitamin Mineral Fusion, which was offered at 50% off with free shipping. He frames these dietary supplements as a means of supporting his political agenda.
The Financial Aspect: Revenue and Funding
Alex Jones's company is private and does not disclose revenue figures. However, it has been widely reported that Jones makes tens of millions of dollars annually. In 2014, The New York Times reported that he made approximately $20 million, primarily from supplement sales. While the exact amount of revenue from Amazon sales is unknown, Amazon receives a percentage of each sale, profiting from this arrangement.
Infowars produces a significant amount of video content daily, where Jones makes extreme statements, including attacks on LGBTQ people and immigrants. He has also hosted white supremacists on his show. Following the January 6 Capitol riot, Jones faced increased scrutiny, particularly for his past invitations to the leader of the extremist militia group, the Oath Keepers. The Justice Department has brought conspiracy charges against members of that group for their alleged role in storming the Capitol. The Wall Street Journal reported that Jones helped coordinate funding for the Trump rally in Washington on January 6 before the riot.
Read also: Dive deeper into the Murdaugh mystery.
Amazon's Stance and Criticism
Amazon has not responded to requests for comment regarding its decision to host Alex Jones's products. While Amazon has banned products for hate speech in the past, it remains unclear why Infowars Life is still allowed on the platform. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, has criticized Amazon's decision, especially given the Sandy Hook shooting's impact on the state.
The Convergence of Conspiracy and Wellness: A Curious Parallel
Interestingly, Alex Jones's Infowars and Moon Juice founder Amanda Chantal Bacon, known for her unconventional wellness practices, both sell similar "cordyceps and reishi" supplements. Bacon, who has stated her diet includes "three tablespoons of bee pollen" and a "Heart tonic," represents a stark contrast to Jones's political views. While Jones did not comment on selling the same supplements as Bacon, this reveals some lifestyle similarities between the far left and far right. Jones believes that "globalists" use the food industry to control Americans, while Bacon doubts the usefulness of FDA-approved medicine.
Dietary Habits and Lifestyles of Infowars Personalities
Several figures associated with Infowars have shared details about their dietary habits and lifestyles:
- Mike Cernovich (InfoWars host, blogger, author): Cernovich has been working to improve his diet to lose weight, consuming 2,600 calories daily with 200 grams of protein. He exercises three times a week, hikes with his dog three to five miles daily, and does a boxing workout with his wife twice a week. He also practices cold water immersion therapy.
- Cassandra Fairbanks (Former blogger, Sputnik): A vegetarian since childhood, Fairbanks typically has coffee and a smoothie or fruit with avocado toast for breakfast. Lunch is usually a salad or falafel wrap, and dinner consists of whatever she makes for her daughter, such as tacos with fake meat. She goes to the gym once or twice a week and tries to jog most mornings.
- Lucian Wintrich (White House Correspondent, Gateway Pundit): Wintrich's breakfast includes two to three cups of coffee and a banana, or Eggs Rothko and bacon. He skips lunch to maintain mental sharpness and focuses on reading, research, and writing in the afternoons. He cooks dinner most of the time, using fresh and seasonal ingredients. His exercise primarily involves walking.
Legal Repercussions: The Sandy Hook Lawsuit
The Supreme Court upheld the $1.4 billion judgment against Alex Jones for claiming the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a "hoax." Jones had requested the court to overturn the ruling, but his request was denied. The lawsuit was brought by the families of the victims, who argued that Jones committed defamation by spreading false conspiracy theories.
Jones argued that the defamation complaint selectively quoted his statements and that he was not given a proper chance to defend himself. He also claimed that the 10-figure judgment was a "financial death penalty" that he could not pay. Jones asked the Supreme Court to declare that courts should not issue rulings without a full trial, impose liability "for the acts of unrelated third parties," or allow sanctions based on those acts for "media defendants reporting on matters of undeniable public concern."
Read also: The Talents of Alex Borstein
The Aftermath: Bankruptcy and Asset Liquidation
After the judgment against him, Jones filed for bankruptcy in 2022. However, a judge ruled that the judgments against him could not be discharged in bankruptcy. Jones’ personal bankruptcy was converted to a formal liquidation in 2024, and a court ruled that Infowars’ assets must be turned over to a state receiver, who will sell them off to pay Jones’ debts. The families of the Sandy Hook victims may soon begin receiving their money after years of delays.
Alex Jones's Background and Controversial Views
Alex Jones has been known for his controversial right-wing views and spreading unfounded conspiracy theories. His comments about the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School gained particular attention. He called the shooting a "government investigation" with "inside job written all over it" and later claimed he was playing "devil's advocate."
Read also: Vegan Athlete: Alex Morgan's Food Choices