The president-elect of the Oxford Union will face disciplinary action after posting messages celebrating the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the historic debate society said Saturday.
George Abaraonye, a 20-year-old Philosophy, Politics and Economics undergraduate who was elected to lead the 19th-century society, wrote on social media after news of Kirk’s killing, according to screen captures reported by news outlets. One message on WhatsApp read, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f–king go,” and another on Instagram said, “Charlie Kirk got shot loool.”
Abaraonye and Kirk met and debated in mid-2025 at the Oxford Union, where they clashed over issues including masculinity, the so-called "infantilization" of young men and cultural influences on gender expression. Video of the appearance shows Abaraonye questioning Kirk's claims about younger generations and social constraints on masculinity.
In a statement posted on X, the Oxford Union said it would review complaints about Abaraonye’s remarks “with the utmost seriousness” and that he would be disciplined for what it called “inappropriate remarks.” The statement said the views expressed were personal to Abaraonye and did not represent the Union or the wider institution. It also noted that the Union has historically defended free speech and that it does not have the power to remove a president-elect from office.
"We emphasize that these are his personal views and not those of the Union, nor do they represent the values of our Institution," the Union said.
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, has been led in the past by figures who later became prominent in public life, and its presidency is a high-profile student role.
Abaraonye issued a statement after public backlash saying he had “reacted impulsively” and that his words did not reflect his values. He added that his reaction was shaped by what he described as Kirk’s rhetoric, alleging that Kirk had made statements that dismissed or demeaned the suffering of others and had made “horrific and dehumanising statements” about LGBTQ and transgender people and Hamas.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of the youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Sept. 10, 2025, at an event at Utah Valley University. Authorities have said a suspect acted alone; the shooting prompted nationwide coverage and plans for memorial arrangements.
The episode has intensified debate on campus and beyond about limits of expression, responsibility of student leaders and the intersection of social media reactions with real-world violence. University and student groups have faced scrutiny in recent years over how they handle complaints about members’ speech and conduct.
The Oxford Union said it would proceed with its internal review while defending its commitment to freedom of expression. It did not provide a timetable for the disciplinary process or detail what sanctions, if any, would be imposed on Abaraonye.
Complaints about the posts were lodged publicly and prompted calls from some alumni and observers for stronger action. The Union’s response affirms that the society intends to address the matter formally but stops short of removing its president-elect, reflecting the limits of its governance and the emphasis it placed on defending free speech even as it condemned the comments as inappropriate.