Infowars’ Alex Jones apologizes for pushing ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy theory

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Friday apologized to the owner of a Washington pizzeria that became the subject of a conspiracy theory about human trafficking last year.

Washington, D.C. pizza shop Comet Ping Pong was thrust into the spotlight last year after a gunman allegedly fired a shot inside the restaurant. The suspect said he was investigating the unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton and her campaign chairman, John Podesta, were operating a child sex trafficking ring out of the restaurant.

The theory, which became known as Pizzagate, had circulated among far-right conspiracy theory websites and social media accounts.

{mosads}“In our commentary about what had become known as Pizzagate, I made comments about Mr. Alefantis that in hindsight I regret, and for which I apologize to him,” Jones, who runs Infowars, said in a video. James Alefantis is the owner of Comet Ping Pong.

Jones said his website relied on reporters who are no longer employed by Infowars and that video reports about Pizzagate were removed from the website. He also invited Alefantis onto the show to discuss the incident.

“To my knowledge today, neither Mr. Alefantis, nor his restaurant, Comet Ping Pong, were involved in any human trafficking as was part of the theories about Pizzagate that were being written about in many media outlets and which we commented upon,” Jones said.

Jones is known to engage in conspiracy theories. The radio host in his broadcasts has falsely claimed that the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School was a hoax and that the U.S. government was involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Last week, a plea deal was reached for the man accused of firing a weapon inside the shop.