Reports have emerged that Jeff Lawson, the co-founder of cloud computing company Twilio, has potentially purchased satirical news website The Onion from G/O Media. A trust linked to Lawson is said to be connected to a San Francisco-based company called Global Tetrahedron, which recently acquired The Onion. G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller confirmed the sale in an email to staff, stating that the new owners have committed to keeping The Onion’s entire staff in Chicago.
Lawson stepped down as CEO of Twilio earlier this year amid company changes and investor pressure. However, when asked about the purchase of The Onion, Lawson responded playfully, questioning what The Onion and a Tetrahedron are. This response left some confused about his move into satirical news media industry and his previous expectations of entering politics.
The new owners of The Onion are described as digital media veterans who have a strong appreciation for the content and comedy produced by the site. Despite rumors and speculations, G/O Media’s spokesperson declined to comment on the situation, leaving room for more questions about the future plans and strategies for The Onion under its new ownership.