Oxford Union Faces Financial Crisis After President-Elect's Charlie Kirk Remarks

The Oxford Union is facing a severe financial and reputational crisis following controversial comments by its president-elect, George Abaraonye, who appeared to celebrate the killing of U.S. conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Abaraonye's messages, including phrases like "Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f****** go," sparked outrage, leading to the withdrawal of up to 40 scheduled speakers, including high-profile figures like Candace Owens, and the freezing of donations worth up to £500,000. The controversy has deeply divided the society, with officials expressing concerns about the future of the Union and its identity as a free speech platform. Abaraonye has apologized and initiated a motion of no confidence against himself, with the Oxford Union membership voting on whether to oust him. The backlash has also caused a significant decline in new memberships and led to fears of long-lasting damage to the 202-year-old debating society’s reputation. The outcome of the vote is seen as a critical moment that could determine the Union's path forward amid ongoing turmoil.