198: Alex Jones, Sandy Hook “Deniers,” and Why it Matters

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been in the news again, this time as he sits in court for the first of three defamation damages cases against him. The cases have been brought by some families who lost children and loved ones in the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012.

On December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, 26 people were killed including 20 students who were between six and seven years old, and 6 staff members. Within hours of that shooting, Jones had gone on-air and declared the shooting a hoax, a "false flag" meant to attack the Second Amendment, and more. These lies then led to survivors and victims families suffering additional trauma, from folks showing up at their home, to online harassment, to death threats.

In this minisode, hosts Kelly and JJ break down why this case matters so much to gun violence prevention, and where we go from here with conspiracy theorists and misinformation.

Alex Jones concedes Sandy Hook attack was '100% real' (AP News)
A jury tags Alex Jones with $45.2 million in punitive damages for 2 Sandy Hook parents (NPR)
A Sandy Hook Mother Confronts Alex Jones (New York Times)
Mom who confronted Alex Jones says he slipped her a note at trial (CNN)