The incoming president of the Oxford Union has been accused of celebrating the fatal shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompting an immediate rebuke from the debating society and renewed attention to campus political tensions.
British and U.S. media reported that messages purportedly sent by George Abaraonye, who was elected Oxford Union president in June, appeared to make light of Kirk’s death. The Telegraph, which said it had seen the messages, published excerpts that included a WhatsApp message reading, "Charlie Kirk got shot, let's f***ing go," and an Instagram comment that said, "Charlie Kirk got shot loool." It is not publicly verified that the WhatsApp account belongs to Abaraonye, and his Instagram account has been made private.
The accusations come days after Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was struck in the neck by a single bullet, rushed to hospital and later died, authorities and media reported. Law enforcement agencies said a high-powered bolt-action rifle linked to the attack was recovered from nearby woods after the shooter reportedly jumped from a roof and fled; officials said they had video footage of a suspect described as a college-age male and that a manhunt was under way.
Abaraonye and Kirk met in May at an Oxford event, where they debated the topic of "toxic masculinity." Abaraonye, a student who served as vice president of the Oxford African and Caribbean Society and sat on a Race Equality Task Force, was elected president of the Oxford Union in June and is due to take office with the society’s next administration.
The Oxford Union issued a statement that condemned "the reported words and sentiments expressed by the President-Elect, George Abaraonye, with regards to the passing of Charlie Kirk," saying the reported views did not represent the current leadership or committee. The union reiterated its opposition to political violence and its commitment to free speech and considerate debate. An Oxford University spokesperson noted that the Oxford Union is independent of the university and said the institution "deplore[d] comments appearing to endorse violence — they are unacceptable and entirely contrary to the values of our community."
Reactions in the United States have been strongly emotional and polarized. Former President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, described Kirk as a "martyr for truth and freedom," ordered flags on U.S. government buildings to be lowered to half-staff and offered condolences to Kirk’s family. The killing provoked a wider cultural debate over public figures’ rhetoric and media coverage. Some commentators drew criticism for their remarks in the days after the shooting; British and U.S. outlets reported contentious comments on television panels and social media that led to public backlash.
The Oxford Union statement said it "unequivocally condemn[ed]" the reported messages and reiterated condolences for Kirk’s family. University and union officials did not provide independent verification of the messages to reporters and said inquiries into the matter were ongoing.
Police in Utah continued to investigate the shooting and seek the suspect. The unfolding developments have highlighted the intersection of transatlantic political activism, campus debate culture and the broader conversation about political speech, safety at public events and how communities respond to acts of violence.