Oxford Union Condemns President-Elect for Celebrating Charlie Kirk Killing

George Abaraonye, the incoming president of the Oxford Union, faced widespread condemnation after making comments that appeared to celebrate the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, a conservative American activist and ally of President Trump. Abaraonye reportedly posted messages such as "Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f****** go" and "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" in social media and WhatsApp groups shortly after the shooting at Utah Valley University. The Oxford Union strongly condemned these remarks, reaffirming its opposition to political violence and offering condolences to Kirk's family. Abaraonye later issued a statement apologizing for his impulsive reaction before Kirk was pronounced dead, emphasizing that his words did not reflect his values and condemning all political violence. The incident prompted calls from UK politicians and former Oxford Union members for disciplinary action and raised concerns about the impact on future speakers at the society. Kirk, who had debated Abaraonye earlier in 2025, was described by President Trump as a "martyr for truth and freedom," highlighting the intense political context surrounding the event.