In a whirlwind turn of events, The Onion, the legendary satirical publication, was saved from an uncertain fate thanks to a chance social media post by journalist Ben Collins. Disillusioned with the state of media, Collins jokingly asked on Bluesky, “Who wants to buy The Onion? I think I have $600.” That joke turned serious when media veterans Leila Brillson and Danielle Strle, alongside billionaire Twilio co-founder Jeff Lawson, joined forces to acquire The Onion from G/O Media. The fear? That someone like Elon Musk—whom Collins called “the most humorless person on earth”—might buy and ruin the beloved satire site. By April 2024, the sale was finalized, ensuring that The Onion remains in good hands.

Key Points:

• Ben Collins' Disillusionment – A former NBC News reporter, Collins was burned out covering disinformation and frustrated with the way legacy media was collapsing.
• A Joke That Became Reality – He casually posted about buying The Onion on Bluesky, not knowing it would lead to a real effort to save it.
• The Perfect Team Assembles – Media professionals Leila Brillson and Danielle Strle joined Collins, but it was billionaire Jeff Lawson (Twilio co-founder) who helped seal the deal financially.
• Fear of Elon Musk – Collins worried that Musk, a long-time admirer of The Onion, would acquire it and damage its satirical legacy.
• Deal Closed by April 2024 – The new owners ensured The Onion would continue its work, independent of corporate media interference.

Now, The Onion lives to satirize another day, rescued by a group of people who truly understand its cultural importance—and, perhaps more importantly, its humor.
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