The president-elect of the Oxford Union will face disciplinary review after posting messages that celebrated the fatal shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the student organisation said, while confirming it does not have the power to remove him from the elected role.
George Abaraonye, a 20-year-old third-year Philosophy, Politics and Economics student who was elected president of the historic debating society, posted on WhatsApp and Instagram after news broke that Kirk had been shot. One WhatsApp message read, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f–king go,” and an Instagram comment said, “Charlie Kirk got shot loool,” according to screenshots circulated publicly.
The Oxford Student Union said on Saturday that Abaraonye will be disciplined for what it called “inappropriate remarks” but that he will remain president-elect. In a statement posted to X, the Oxford Union emphasised that the comments are the individual’s views and “not those of the Union, nor do they represent the values of our Institution,” and said complaints filed against Abaraonye would be reviewed “with the utmost seriousness.” The Union also reiterated its commitment to defending freedom of expression.
Abaraonye had debated Kirk in person earlier this year at the Oxford Union. During that meeting, the two disputed issues including the treatment and expectations of young men in contemporary culture. Video and photos of the debate show Abaraonye appearing in casual attire as the pair exchanged points at podiums.
Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA and a prominent commentator, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. He died of his wounds, according to law enforcement and media reports. The shooting prompted a national outcry and numerous investigations and criminal proceedings in the United States.
Following public criticism of his messages, Abaraonye issued a statement saying he had “reacted impulsively” and that his words “did not reflect my values.” He added that his reaction was “shaped by the context of Mr. Kirk’s own rhetoric,” and accused Kirk of making statements that, in his view, demeaned members of the LGBTQ and trans communities.
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823 and historically led at times by figures who later became national leaders, said it does not have the authority to remove a president-elect and that any disciplinary action would be subject to the student organisation’s rules. The Student Union’s announcement indicated a process of review rather than immediate sanctions.
The case has attracted attention because of the Union’s reputation as a forum for robust debate and its longstanding defence of free speech on campus. Critics of Abaraonye’s remarks argued they were callous and incompatible with the responsibilities of an elected student leader, while supporters said the episode raises questions about how institutions should balance free expression with condemnation of violent acts.
The Union did not provide details about the timetable or potential outcomes of the disciplinary review. Abaraonye’s public accounts showed the messages for a limited time before they were widely reported and removed, and representatives for Abaraonye did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
The matter follows weeks of intense media coverage and public debate in the United States and the United Kingdom over the shooting and its political and social reverberations. The Oxford Union said it will continue to host speakers and debates and reiterated its commitment to protecting freedom of expression while addressing complaints through its internal procedures.
