A Texas appeals court has thrown out part of the damages awarded against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for his false claims about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, but he still faces over $1 billion in liabilities. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
While the ruling saves Jones more than $40 million, his company Free Speech Systems has filed for bankruptcy. Sandy Hook families have yet to collect any money from Jones, who continues broadcasting on other websites.
Jones still faces a $1.25 billion defamation judgment in Connecticut and nearly $6 million remaining in the Texas case. On Friday, August 22, 2026, the court threw out most of the Texas award because it exceeded the state's cap on punitive damages. The ruling reduced that portion from more than $40 million to $1.5 million, leaving about $6 million intact.
The Texas court did not overturn the finding of defamation, but Jones called it a major victory for free speech and vowed to continue appeals. He said: "I got lawyers who are good constitutional lawyers, and they are not backing down."
The Texas ruling has no impact on the larger Connecticut case, where Jones was found liable for $1.25 billion. His appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied last year. Attorney Mark Bankston called the ruling "irrelevant" as it affects only two of the 19 claims.
Jones has pushed conspiracy theories about the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks. After being fired from an Austin radio station in the mid-1990s, he began broadcasting from home on Infowars. In 2004, he had two employees; by 2010, over 60. By 2024, he had four studios in Austin and a warehouse.
Jones filed for bankruptcy in 2022, forcing him to surrender Infowars. He still broadcasts on new websites, social media, and streaming platforms, and sells merchandise, including dietary supplements and clothing, bringing in millions annually. Sandy Hook families have been prevented from collecting money during lengthy appeals.