The Oxford Union’s incoming president appeared to celebrate the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the Maga influencer, just months after debating him.
George Abaraonye shared comments after Kirk, the free-speech advocate and key Donald Trump ally, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University as he discussed mass shootings committed by trans people.
In messages seen by The Telegraph, Mr Abaraonye posted: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f------ go” – a common celebratory phrase among Gen Z.
Another message, believed to be on the student’s Instagram account, stated “Charlie Kirk got shot loool”, an exaggeration of the abbreviation “laughing out loud”.
Messages were shared in a WhatsApp group for Oxford Union members. At least one of his messages was soon deleted.
The messages met with a mixed response from the WhatsApp group, understood to be intended largely for freshers.
Some appeared to be appalled by the sentiments being expressed.
Mr Abaraonye’s comment came just months after he met Kirk, and debated the US influencer at an event at the Oxford Union held in May.
Their debate on “toxic masculinity” ended with Kirk urging the younger man to “think about” what they had discussed.
The Oxford Union later said it “unequivocally condemned” Mr Abaraonye’s words.
In a statement, it said: “We reaffirm our stance that the Oxford Union firmly opposes all forms of political violence and strongly stands by our commitment to free speech and considerate debate.
“We would like to reiterate that our condolences lie with Charlie Kirk’s family, especially his wife and young children, who are enduring such terrible grief.”
Mr Abaraonye is now the president-elect of the Union following a vote in June, and will be responsible for overseeing an institution famed for its history of open debate.
He had served as the vice-president of the Oxford African and Caribbean Society, a role with the added responsibility of sitting “on the Race Equality Task Force to engage in conversations on racial diversity with [the] wider university”.
This task force was set up after Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 to “promote racial equality” at Oxford, including by “decolonising” curricula.
An Oxford University spokesperson said: “The Oxford Union is independent of the University. We deplore comments appearing to endorse violence – they are unacceptable and entirely contrary to the values of our community.”
Kirk, 31, had made a name for himself advancing conservative viewpoints in public debating events covering issues including racial politics, abortion, and transgender identity, typically inviting all challengers to “prove me wrong”.
The founder of Turning Point Action was seen as the de facto leader of the Maga youth movement, and had been leading an “America comeback tour” of US campuses where he staged debates.
The father-of-two was shot in the neck at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, while sitting on stage and taking questions from the audience, in what had become the standard format for his events. He was rushed to hospital, but died a short time later.
President Trump released a video address to the nation following the fatal shooting, in which the Republican leader blamed the “radical Left” for stirring up hysterical opposition to those who held differing views.
In the video address from the White House, Mr Trump promised to find “each and every one of those who contributed” to Mr Kirk’s death.
He said it was “long past time” for all Americans and the media “to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonising those with whom you disagree”.
“For years, those on the radical Left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” Mr Trump added.
“This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism we’re seeing in our country today – and it must stop right now.”
Police were combing through CCTV footage and social media videos on Wednesday night as the hunt continued for the gunman.
Kash Patel, the FBI director, said that a suspect arrested earlier in the day had been released, adding: “Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in the interest of transparency.”
Mr Abaraonye was contacted for comment.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...esident-george-abaraonye-charlie-kirk-murder/ (Archive)
