HBO is set to release a new documentary titled THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Dan Reed. The film, which will premiere on Tuesday, March 26th on HBO and be available for streaming on Max, focuses on the gripping courtroom battle between Alex Jones and the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.
Over the course of four years, THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES captures the intense legal proceedings as two defamation lawsuits are filed against Jones and his website, InfoWars. As the documentary delves into the wide-ranging impact of Jones’ conspiracy-driven media empire, it follows the families’ pursuit of justice in holding him accountable for disseminating falsehoods about them and their children. Ultimately, these efforts lead to an unprecedented judgment of nearly $1.5 billion in damages against Jones.
The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School took place in December 2012 when 20 children and six adults lost their lives. On that very day, Alex Jones began questioning the authenticity of the attack, denying its occurrence entirely. These baseless claims not only generated substantial advertising revenue for his website but also perpetuated false narratives to his millions of viewers over several years. Through extensive interviews with grieving parents who took legal action against Jones for defamation, as well as insights from their legal teams and a defense attorney representing Jones himself, THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES chronicles their relentless pursuit of truth after enduring years of harmful misinformation propagated by Jones and his followers.
Bringing Alex Jones to trial required immense dedication from bereaved parents and their legal representatives in both Texas and Connecticut. After failing to comply with court orders related to discovery proceedings, default judgments were issued against Jones in both states.
Subsequently, jury trials were conducted to determine damages awarded to the families affected by his false claims. In a groundbreaking decision that sets a significant precedent in holding those who spread disinformation accountable, the combined damages awarded amounted to nearly $1.5 billion.
Unfortunately, Jones’ subsequent declaration of bankruptcy has raised questions regarding the ability of the families to collect these funds.
THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES features a range of participants including Sandy Hook parents, attorneys involved in the legal battles, law enforcement personnel, InfoWars employees, and individuals closely associated with the tragedy. With powerful testimonies from Mark Barden, Alissa and Robbie Parker, Neil Heslin, Scarlett Lewis, Nicole Hockley, Lenny Pozner, Veronique de la Rosa and others alongside attorneys such as Mark Bankston and Chris Mattei, this documentary sheds light on an important chapter in American legal history.
THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES is a thought-provoking HBO Documentary Films production by Amos Pictures. Directed by Dan Reed and produced by Marguerite Gaudin and Dan Reed himself; edited by Peter Haddon and William Grayburn. Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller serve as executive producers for HBO alongside Anna Klein as supervising producer.
