New messages publicly disclosed by The Spectator allege that Oxford Union members, including the incoming president, mocked the assassination of conservative U.S. influencer Charlie Kirk and sought to silence dissenting voices in WhatsApp groups tied to the debating society.
The messages, described as occurring in chats used by prospective and current Oxford Union members seeking admission to the debating society, include one remark in which Kirk is said to be 'looking up at us now' with a smiley emoji, implying he had gone to hell. Another member reportedly said they did not 'feel bad' for his grieving widow, Erika Kirk. A further post allegedly expressed support for political violence, writing that they could 'only hope that some of the more cowardly f*s get scsred (sic)'. The incoming president, George Abaraonye, is reported to have written in a separate chat, 'Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f** go'. He has since deleted the messages and apologized, saying his words 'were no less insensitive than Charlie Kirk’s.'
The fallout intensified as several high-profile speakers canceled appearances at the Oxford Union in protest. Tech investor Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, withdrew from an invitation to speak on tech and venture capital, writing on X that he would stay away 'until cultural leadership from the top celebrates peace and coexistence and civil discourse and denounces violence'. The Union’s leadership, including its outgoing officers, condemned the reported words and sentiments, stating they do not represent the Union’s current leadership or committee and that complaints against Mr. Abaraonye had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings and would be addressed with the utmost seriousness. The Union also said that it has no executive power to summarily dismiss a president-elect.
A University of Oxford spokesperson stressed that the Oxford Union is independent of the University and the Students’ Union and said the university deplores threats, intimidation, or comments endorsing violence, adding that such behaviour is unacceptable and contrary to the values of the campus community. The Union further expressed condolences to Kirk’s family while reiterating that its current leadership has no association with, and is entirely independent from, Mr. Abaraonye.
Abaraonye subsequently spoke to Cherwell, the student newspaper, explaining that he received news of a shooting at Kirk’s event and reacted impulsively, deleting the posts once he learned of Kirk’s passing. He emphasized that nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence and said he may have disagreed strongly with Kirk’s politics, but that in death everyone deserves respect and condolences to Kirk’s family.
Charl ie Kirk, a married father of two, was shot in the neck while addressing a mass shooting at a Utah university campus on September 10. He was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, made his first virtual court appearance from the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on September 16. Authorities noted that Robinson was raised in a strictly Republican household and was living with his transgender partner at the time of the attack; relatives said he had become more political in recent times.
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, has long billed itself as a prestigious platform for debate and counts historic figures including Malcolm X among its attendees. In response to the backlash, the Union’s outgoing leadership reiterated that the organization does not reflect the views of the university or the student body and will handle the complaints with seriousness as the disciplinary process proceeds. The University of Oxford’s spokesman emphasized the independence of the Union from the university and the Students’ Union, while condemning violence and endorsing civil discourse. The case continues to unfold as investigations and inquiries proceed, with the university and the Union seeking to balance accountability with the preservation of free debate on campus.