Families from one of the US’s most notorious school shootings have reacted with outcry after NBC broadcast an interview with a leading conspiracy theorist who said the incident never happened and that parents faked their children's deaths.
Alex Jones, host of the Infowars, has claimed over the years that the US government was involved in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the attacks of 9/11. He also said the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook that left 26 people dead, including 20 children, never happened.
Mr Jones has now repeated his comments, including about what he says never happened at the elementary school in Connecticut, in an interview to NBC’s Megyn Kelly. Ms Kelly, who earlier this year quit Fox News, started by asking him if he was the most paranoid person in the country.
Actually, in our sit-down @RealAlexJones describes self as a libertarian who "likes what republicans stand for" but has issues w/them 2. https://t.co/TWa6iDaiyi — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 12, 2017
She said he had made his reputation by spreading conspiracy theories, including the claim that Sandy Hook did not happen.
“When you say parents faked their children's deaths, people get upset,” she said.
Mr Jones responded: “But they don’t get angry about half-a-million dead Iraqis killed by sanctions.”
Ms Kelly told Mr Jones that his response was “a dodge”. He denied it, adding: “I looked at all the angles about Newtown, I made my statement before the other media picked it up.”
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Ms Kelly’s decision to to provide a platform to Mr Jones had raised questions even before she released parts of the interview ahead of its broadcast, scheduled for June 18.
When it emerged Ms Jones had defended his views about Sandy Hook, an incident he said was staged with the use of child actors, some of the parents of the youngsters and teachers killed, wrote to NBC and Ms Kelly, expressing their outrage.
The family of slain teacher Vicki Soto, posted a letter on Facebook, saying they were "disgusted and disappointed" in the decision to air the interview.
“Alex and his followers have done nothing but make our lives a living hell for the last four-and-a-half,” they said.
Alex Jones says Manchester victims are a bunch of 'liberal trendies'
“This incessant need for ratings at the cost of the emotional well-being of our family is disgusting and disappointing. You should be ashamed of yourselves for allowing this behaviour.”
Nelba Marquez-Greene, whose six-year-old daughter, Ana Grace, was among those killed, said she feared the interview with Mr Jones would encourage other conspiracy theorists who have harassed her and accused her of being part of a hoax.
POTUS's been on & praises @RealAlexJones' show. He's giving Infowars a WH press credential. Many don't know him; our job is 2 shine a light. https://t.co/5e88BJyqnz — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 12, 2017
“Any time you give someone like Alex Jones a platform, their followers will double-down or increase their attack on grieving families,” she told the Associated Press.
“You can’t just put him in a box and say he's just a character. He’s really hurting people.”
Ms Kelly has reportedly defended the decision to interview Mr Jones by saying it her job to “shine a light”.
NBC did not immediately respond to inquiries.
CAUTION_HORSES on June 12nd, 2017 at 22:05 UTC »
My mom was a teacher at Sandy Hook and was there the day of the shooting (she survived). I was in Newtown driving to work that morning and got a text from my mom that she had locked herself and her students into a closet because there were gunshots in the building and to call the police. I did, and I drove to the firehouse across the street from the school where the police had arrived and blocked off the entrance to the driveway to the school.
Within minutes, hundreds of cars filled with panic-stricken family members began flying towards the firehouse, cars were driven onto lawns, left running all up and down the sides of the streets. Everyone seemed confused and scared, and it took some time for the details of what happened to unfold. I watched everyone run into the firehouse waiting to find out if their loved ones had survived.
My mom was best friends with the principal who was murdered that day. I touched her body at her funeral. We went to 26 funerals for these babies that my mother had taught. For her coworkers who died protecting them.
I can understand the appeal of conspiracy theories. I think it's important to do independent research to try and make an informed opinion. But there is no conspiracy here, plain and simple. It is neither logical nor actually possible. Unfortunately, you can't meet crazy with logic and facts.
I've literally had conversations with people who will hear my story and still say "but c'mon didn't you see the video?? They're actors, it was the government, etc." That to me is pretty mind blowing.
Alex Jones has a soapbox and from his soapbox, he has influence over those who take his opinions as fact. I don't know enough about him or his other opinions to comment on them. But here, his claim that there is any remote semblance of a conspiracy is patently false. Any attempt to actively promote this ideology is promoting a lie. If he has a morsel of human decency, he would put this claim to rest, and respect the people who lost their loved to this horrific tragedy.
I don't like to talk about this publicly because because I want to respect those who lost loved ones that day, and I feel that it's not my place to do so. But it has become impossible to allow the idea of a "conspiracy" to retain any credibility. Let these people grieve in peace, Alex, they've been through more than anyone should ever have to go through.
Brogamawr on June 12nd, 2017 at 20:28 UTC »
I want Louis Theroux to follow and interview this man. He would do such a good job, in his subtle way, of make this guy look like the fool that he is.
jeekaiy on June 12nd, 2017 at 18:21 UTC »
Ratings can go fuck themselves.