Podcast Summary: "Grab Your Tin Foil Hat for The Onion's Takeover of Infowars"
Podcast: On the Media (WNYC Studios)
Hosts: Brooke Gladstone & Michael Loewinger
Date: April 24, 2026
Overview
This episode dives into two provocative and timely threads in media culture:
- The growing fracturing of Trump’s evangelical support and the turn of the right toward conspiracy about his presidency—especially surrounding AI, religious symbolism, and the attempted assassination.
- The audacious acquisition of Infowars by satirical news site The Onion and the comic, cultural, and moral implications of repurposing a far-right media brand for good.
The episode concludes with an in-depth conversation with Amy Goodman, icon of independent journalism, reflecting on commercial media consolidation, the principles of adversarial reporting, and the centrality of marginalized voices in coverage.
Key Segments & Insights
1. Trump’s AI Jesus Post and MAGA Dissent
[00:00 – 15:16]
Main Topic:
- On Easter Sunday, Trump posts an AI image depicting himself as a messianic figure, triggering outrage among some of his loyal evangelical and right-wing supporters.
Key Discussion Points:
- Evangelical Backlash: High-profile MAGA figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Pastor Joel Webbin call out Trump’s blasphemy, some labeling him “the Antichrist.”
- Religious Right’s Dilemma: Many leaders who indulged Trump’s prior posturing balk at his latest transgression.
- Quote, David Gilbert:
“They were willing to indulge Trump when he was this divinely anointed person by God…but when he steps over that line…posting himself as Jesus, it instantly turns people against him.” [02:27]
- Shifting Allegiances: Former diehards (e.g., Clint Russell from Liberty Lockdown podcast, the Knights Templar Order) publicly break with Trump over this incident.
- David Gilbert:
“It really is a tipping point where these supporters feel they have to speak out against this.” [04:33]
- Trump’s Relationship with Faith: Trump’s performative Christianity has often been transparent.
- Alex Jones, paraphrased favorite Bible passage:
“I don’t want to do that. Old Testament guy or New Testament guy—probably equal. The whole Bible is incredible.” [03:30]
- Papal Feuds: Trump’s squabbling with Pope Leo (the first American pope, now a central figure in Catholic politics) adds fuel to the fire, particularly with Pope Leo’s peace agenda.
Memorable Quote:
- Brooke Gladstone:
“He really doesn’t get them, does he?” [03:02]
2. Conspiracy Spiral: The Butler "Staged" Assassination Attempt
[06:06 – 15:16]
Main Topic:
- The Trump assassination attempt in Butler, PA becomes a focus of conspiracy—theories about whether it was staged escalate, now inflamed by Trump’s own supporters.
Key Points:
- Reversal: People like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones flip from condemning left-wing conspiracy about a staged shooting to promoting it themselves [07:10].
- Role of Right-Wing Media: Podcasts (notably Tucker Carlson’s show) and right-wing internet forums amplify these theories.
- David Gilbert:
“It speaks to how a lot of people have lost faith…willing to indulge in these wild conspiracy theories.” [07:46]
- Disinformation Tactics: High-profile ex-officials (e.g., Joe Kent) “just ask questions” about the official story, further fueling the wild accusations [10:09].
3. The Changing Shape of Trump’s Coalition
[11:59 – 15:16]
Main Topic:
- Evangelical voters are now a more fractured coalition; criticism of Trump, once unthinkable in mainstream pro-Trump spaces, is becoming normalized.
- High-profile podcasters (Theo Von, Joe Rogan) now openly criticize Trump, suggesting a shift among younger male voters.
Memorable Moment:
- David Gilbert:
“Perception has shifted. And so…I think…we’re gonna see more and more of his supporters or former supporters criticize him.” [13:33]
4. The Onion’s Surreal Takeover of Infowars
[16:48 – 31:21]
Background: Alex Jones’ Downfall and The Onion Steps In
- After losing a $1.4B Sandy Hook defamation judgment, Jones’ media empire collapses.
- The Onion, led by CEO Ben Collins, pursues purchase of Infowars at auction with the intent to transform “hate into comedy” and direct proceeds to Sandy Hook families.
Crystallizing Moment:
- Ben Collins recounts his motivation to persist with the acquisition after the death of Renee Goode and subsequent Infowars conspiracy-mongering:
“These are going to do this for the rest of our lives without any punishment…they are just going to keep getting away with it. And that’s when I thought, I’m not giving up.” [19:21]
The Plan: From Conspiracy Bunker to Comedy Hub
- The Onion gets the studios, intends to parody the Infowars brand, and names Tim Heidecker (of Tim and Eric) as creative director.
- Early stunts include selling joke “Infowars” merchandise—“Demon Guard” patches and “Pure O Oxygen” supplements, poking fun at the site’s supplement sales [24:01].
Tim Heidecker’s Perspective:
- On Alex Jones:
“Pre-Trump, he was a sort of harmless, benign, amusing clown; when Trump started validating him, it was like ‘this guy's actually influencing, in a way, my life.’” [24:23]
- On taking over Infowars:
“It would be fun to goof on Infowars…that would run its course and…we could do whatever we want with [the brand]…a home for what I consider good, individual, voice-led comedy.” [22:56]
- On responsibility:
“People need to hear other people like me remind the world that this is insane…Otherwise people feel like they're going crazy and that they're alone.” [29:12]
- On parodying Jones versus Trump:
“I think Trump continues to be hilarious insane. For me…it’s endlessly insane and amusing that we're actually living through.” [29:12]
- On “moving past” Jones:
“We're going to try to change the meaning of the word Infowars…so three years from now, you're like 'What was Infowars again?'” [31:04]
Notable, Surreal Moment:
- Heidecker describes performing his Jones impression to Jones’ face at a 2017 RNC livestream—Jones was initially a “good sport,” but now rages about “skinwalkers” and “body snatchers” who parody him [27:13].
5. Amy Goodman: 30 Years of Radical Independence
[32:44 – 51:42]
Subject:
- Conversation with Amy Goodman (host of Democracy Now) about her career, her documentary “Steal this Story Please,” and the importance of adversarial, independent journalism in a time of relentless media consolidation.
Key Themes:
- Origin Story:
- Goodman describes the founding of Pacifica Radio, the commitment to independence from corporate and military interests, and the literal danger faced by independent voices (KKK bombing of KPFT in Houston) [35:37].
- East Timor Reporting:
- Goodman shares her harrowing experience witnessing and surviving the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre and breaking open the US government’s complicity [37:21]:
- Amy Goodman:
“They came at us. They beat me to the ground…they used their USM16s like baseball bats and slammed them against [my colleague’s] skull until they fractured it. They…lined up in firing squad fashion…but pulled those guns away because…they'd have to pay a price…for killing us, that they'd never pay for killing the Timorese.” [38:50]
- Her core ethic: “If people knew what was happening, they would do something about it. It's our job as journalists to go to where the silence is.” [39:37]
- Truth vs. Access:
- Goodman rejects the temptations of access journalism: “You trade truth for access. It's not worth it. Politicians need us more than we need them…freedom of the press is about the public's right to know.” [40:42]
On Labels and Press Bias:
- Amy Goodman:
“If your view does not represent the status quo, you are then called an activist. But you're just representing a point of view that's not shared by the establishment…Those who care about war and peace…climate, inequality…LGBTQ issues are not a fringe minority…they are the silenced majority, silenced by the corporate media.” [43:59]
Advice to Journalists:
- Urges the media to “bring in the voices of Iranians,” Palestinians, and other voices ignored or misrepresented, noting how simple it is yet rarely done—even with greater resources in mainstream newsrooms [43:50].
On Corporate Media Decline and New Media Uprisings:
- Sees the proliferation of small, adversarial, openly progressive outlets as inheritors of independent media DNA:
- “It is so important that there be a potpourri of independent media, small and large…I've been sounding the alarm on corporate media for 30 years…now they're saying ‘Oh please, yell louder, yell louder.’” [46:15-46:50]
Timely Reflection:
- On America’s role in global conflict, referencing the “Are we the baddies?” meme:
- “There is a force more powerful [than the US government] and that is everyone who stands up and says this does not represent what America can be…Show the pictures, show the images. Could you imagine for one week if we saw the images of those girls in Manape at their primary school blown up? I really do think vast changes would happen, and that's our job in the media.” [48:40, 49:42]
- On regret and motivation:
- “I look ahead. What further do we have to do? That's always been my approach.” [50:17]
- “That is one of the principles of my life…[We] work with a wonderful group of people deeply committed to independent media that will make things better.” [50:59]
Closing Moment:
- Goodman recalls the 30th anniversary Democracy Now celebration with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, embodying her vision of “media where people have the power.” [51:12]
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
David Gilbert on MAGA’s breaking point:
“It's really, truly incredible that figures like Webbin are talking like this…But when he steps over that line…posting himself as Jesus, it instantly turns people against him.” [02:27]
-
Tim Heidecker on necessity of parody:
“People need to hear other people like me remind the world that this is insane and try to do it in an entertaining way. Otherwise people feel like they're going crazy and that they're alone.” [29:12]
-
Amy Goodman on truth over access:
“You trade truth for access. It's not worth it. Politicians need us more than we need them.” [40:42]
-
Amy Goodman on activism vs. journalism:
“If your view does not represent the status quo, you are then called an activist…Those who care about war and peace, those who care about the climate…are not a fringe minority…but the silenced majority.” [43:59]
-
Amy Goodman on bearing witness (East Timor):
“If people knew what was happening, they would do something about it. It's our job as journalists to go to where the silence is.” [39:37]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Trump’s AI Jesus & the 'Antichrist' Narrative: 00:00 – 06:06
- Butler Assassination: Conspiracy Reversals: 06:06 – 11:59
- Fracturing of Evangelical Support & Online Disillusionment: 11:59 – 15:16
- The Onion Buys Infowars / Tim Heidecker’s Comedic Vision: 16:48 – 31:21
- Amy Goodman: Independent Journalism and 30 Years of Democracy Now: 32:44 – 51:45
Tone & Takeaways
The episode is both deeply analytical and laced with the show’s trademark dry wit and gravity. It moves from a biting critique of conspiracy contagion in American politics, through surreal comedy and media repurposing, to an impassioned defense of adversarial, independent journalism.
Listeners are reminded that the media is both battleground and balm—a place where truth, parody, and resistance can challenge power.
For Further Listening:
- Democracy Now!
- On the Media archives on media literacy, digital disinformation, and press independence
- The Onion’s new Infowars parody site (watch this space)
End of summary.