Oxford Union’s president-elect is set to face disciplinary proceedings after he appeared to celebrate the murder of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with around 200 members signing a vote of no confidence against the 20-year-old Politics, Philosophy and Economics student.
The prestigious debating society announced in a statement on Saturday that complaints made against George Abaraonye over his inflammatory WhatsApp and Instagram messages would be treated with “the utmost seriousness” under formal disciplinary proceedings. The Union emphasised that whilst it “has always been one of the world’s foremost defenders of free speech”, such freedom “cannot and will not come at the expense of violence, intimidation, or hate.”
Mr Abaraonye, who was elected to lead the 201-year-old institution in June, allegedly wrote “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f***ing go” in a WhatsApp group chat after news emerged that the 31-year-old conservative activist had been fatally shot whilst speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. A separate message, believed to be from his Instagram account, read “Charlie Kirk got shot loool”, using an elongated version of the “laugh out loud” acronym.
The leaked messages sparked immediate international outrage, with prominent figures from both sides of the Atlantic condemning the University College student’s reaction to the tragedy. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss called on Lord Hague, Chancellor of Oxford University, to “show some mettle and expel George Abaraonye”, whilst US Senator Ted Cruz branded the behaviour “utterly disgraceful.
Disciplinary Action and Vote of No Confidence
The Oxford Union confirmed that whilst it does not possess executive powers to summarily dismiss a president-elect, office-holders found to have committed serious misconduct can face penalties, including immediate dismissal. A vote of no confidence has been triggered after approximately 200 life members of the debating society signed their support for the ballot, well exceeding the 150 signatures required under the Union’s constitution.
“Our duty is to demonstrate to our members, the university community, alumni and the wider public that disagreement must be expressed through debate and dialogue, not through abuse or threats,” the Union stated. “That is the tradition we uphold and it is the standard we will continue to set.”
The controversy has led to significant fallout within Oxford’s student community. James Price, a former Oxford Union president, resigned as honorary secretary of the Oxford Literary Debating & Union Trust, the charity arm that owns the Union’s buildings, stating he could not “in good conscience remain” in the position. Price condemned Abaraonye’s statement as “psychopathic” and said the “callousness of the Union’s President-Elect has shocked me.”
The Fatal Shooting of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, founder and chief executive of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Wednesday whilst addressing approximately 3,000 people at Utah Valley University’s outdoor courtyard as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” According to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, the shooter arrived near campus at 11:52 a.m. and fired a single shot from the roof of the Losee Student Success Center.
Kirk was struck in the neck whilst calmly fielding questions from students. Social media videos from the scene showed attendees carrying Kirk to an SUV, which transported him to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on Friday after a 36-hour manhunt and charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that Robinson’s arrest came after a family member contacted authorities, reporting that Robinson had “confessed or implied” responsibility for the killing.
“Charlie Kirk was first and foremost a husband and a dad to two young children,” Cox said during a press conference. He believed in the power of free speech and debate to shape ideas and to persuade people.
The Oxford Union Debate
Mr Abaraonye had engaged in a face-to-face debate with Kirk at the Oxford Union in May, just one month before being elected president of the society. The debate centred on the issue of “toxic masculinity”, with the pair exchanging contrasting views on its impact on young men and women.
During the debate, Kirk argued against what he perceived as the “hyper-medication of young men” and criticised educational curricula that emphasise toxic masculinity whilst ignoring what he called “toxic femininity.” Despite their disagreements, witnesses described the exchange as civil, with Kirk reportedly telling Abaraonye afterwards to “think about” their discussion.
Adrian Hilton, a philosophy lecturer and honorary research fellow at the University of Buckingham, stated: “I don’t think the President-Elect, George Abaraonye, is fit to become President of the Oxford Union: he brings the Society into disrepute.”
University and Student Response
University College Master Baroness Valerie Amos confirmed that Abaraonye’s comments “do not contravene the College’s policies on free speech” and that “no disciplinary action will be taken” by the college itself, leaving the matter to the Oxford Union’s internal processes.
The Oxford African and Caribbean Society issued a statement condemning what it described as “anti-black and anti-migrant rhetoric” directed at Abaraonye, noting that he had received death threats and racial abuse online. The society stated: “We encourage productive conversation rather than the disparaging of George’s character and denouncing the legitimacy of black people existing in Higher Education.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism called for an end to what it termed a “racist witch-hunt”, claiming that “the far-right are determined to turn their poster-boy Kirk into a martyr” and “to get one of the few black students at the University expelled.”
International Reaction
The controversy has attracted significant international attention, with figures across the political spectrum weighing in. Elon Musk responded to news of the no confidence motion with a brief “Kick him out” on social media platform X, whilst Piers Morgan called for Abaraonye’s immediate resignation.
Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, told The Telegraph: “Free speech enables him to say this, but it also shows he is not fit to be president and should be fired from his post and expelled from the university.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau indicated he would consider stripping visas from foreign nationals who “glorify violence and hatred”, responding to criticism of Abaraonye’s comments with an image suggesting visa removal actions.
Abaraonye’s Response
In an initial statement, Abaraonye claimed he had “reacted impulsively” and made the comments “prior to Charlie being pronounced dead”, adding that he “quickly deleted” them upon learning of Kirk’s passing. “Those words did not reflect my values,” he stated. “To be clear: nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence.”
However, in a subsequent statement to the New Statesman, Abaraonye appeared to double down, saying: “My words were no less insensitive than his – arguably less so; the difference is that I had the humility to recognise when I strayed from my core values, and I addressed it immediately upon reflection.”
He added: “It is disheartening that those who hurl abuse at me are often the same who claim to value free speech and oppose ‘cancel culture,’ yet apply those principles inconsistently.
Trump’s Tribute
President Donald Trump ordered all US flags to be flown at half-mast until 6pm on Friday in honour of Kirk, whom he described as “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.” Trump added: “No-one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me.”
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, pledged to continue her husband’s legacy, stating: “Charlie, I promise I will never let your legacy die, baby. I promise I’ll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen.”
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823 and describing itself as “the most prestigious debating society in the world”, has hosted numerous historical figures including Malcolm X, multiple UK Prime Ministers, and international leaders. Mr Abaraonye is scheduled to assume the presidency in Hilary Term 2026, though his future in the role now appears uncertain pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings and the no confidence vote.
The society’s current leadership emphasised that Abaraonye’s “reported views do not represent the Oxford Union’s current leadership or committee’s view” and reaffirmed its commitment to “free speech and considerate debate” whilst opposing “all forms of political violence.”
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