what did alex jones say about sandy hook

Alex Jones, for years, claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, alleging it was fabricated by the U.S. government as part of a plot to impose gun control. He asserted that the deaths of the 20 children and six adults were staged and even accused the victim families of being actors. These false claims caused significant harassment and emotional distress for the families of the victims. However, in a 2022 Texas courtroom during a defamation trial brought by the parents of a child killed in the shooting, Jones conceded that the attack was "100% real." He admitted that it was irresponsible to declare the massacre a hoax, especially after meeting the parents of the victims. Despite this acknowledgment, the families sought substantial damages since his conspiracy theories had led to years of abuse and threats against them. The court case aimed to determine the financial compensation Jones owed for defaming the families. Throughout the legal proceedings, Jones showed some resistance, disparaging the families' attorneys and clashing with the judge, but his public stance in court marked a significant shift from his earlier assertions denying the reality of the tragedy. He has been ordered to pay damages amounting to billions due to these false claims.