Jeff Lawson, the co-founder of cloud computing company Twilio, has reportedly purchased satirical news website The Onion from G/O Media. According to sources, a trust linked to Lawson is associated with a San Francisco-based company called Global Tetrahedron, which recently acquired The Onion. The sale was confirmed by G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller 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 due to company changes and investor pressure. However, when asked about the purchase of The Onion, Lawson playfully questioned what The Onion and a Tetrahedron are. This response left some confused as his move into satirical news media industry was unexpected by many, especially considering previous expectations of a potential entry into 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.