đą SCANDAL ROCKS OXFORD: Did the future leader of the worldâs most prestigious debating society really celebrate a shocking assassination? đ˛ Just weeks ago, Charlie Kirk faced off with Oxford Unionâs president-elect in a fiery debate. Now, leaked messages reveal jaw-dropping reactions to Kirkâs tragic death that have left the world stunned. What did George Abaraonye say, and how could it change the future of free speech at Oxford? This unfolding drama raises big questions about leadership, accountability, and the line between debate and division. đ If youâre as shocked as I am, letâs unpack this controversy together. What does this mean for open dialogue in our world today? Share your thoughts and dive into the full story below! đ
The incoming president of the Oxford Union has been accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
George Abaraonye allegedly shared comments making light of Kirk’s death shortly after he was struck in the neck by a single bullet while speaking about mass shootings at a university campus in Utah.
Messages supposedly sent by Abaraonye have been shared on social media.
The incoming president of the Oxford Union has been accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
George Abaraonye allegedly shared comments making light of Kirk’s death shortly after he was struck in the neck by a single bullet while speaking about mass shootings at a university campus in Utah.
Messages supposedly sent by Abaraonye have been shared on social media.
The incoming president of the Oxford Union has been accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
George Abaraonye allegedly shared comments making light of Kirk’s death shortly after he was struck in the neck by a single bullet while speaking about mass shootings at a university campus in Utah.
Messages supposedly sent by Abaraonye have been shared on social media.
One, said to have been sent on Whatsapp, reads: ‘Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f***ing go’. Another message, said to be posted by Abaraonye on Instagram, says: ‘Charlie Kirk got shot loool’.
The Oxford student’s Instagram account has been made private, preventing anyone from viewing his posts on the platform. It is also unclear whether the Whatsapp account that appeared to share the messages belongs to Abaraonye.
Abaraonye was elected for the presidency in June and previously came head-to-head with the American conservative activist during an event at the University in May.
The pair debated about the concept of ‘toxic masculinity’, during which they disagreed about the impact it posed on younger generations of men and women.
Abaraonye also served as the vice-president of the Oxford African and Caribbean Society, a role which involved him sitting ‘on the Race Equality Task force to engage in conversations on racial diversity with wider university’.
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The incoming president of the Oxford Union George Abaraonye debates American conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event in May
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Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet while speaking about mass shootings at a university campus in Utah. He is pictured at the event on Wednesday before his death
One of the messages that was allegedly sent by Abaraonye shortly after Kirk’s death
Following the backlash from the supposed messages, Abaraonye released a statement saying they made in a ‘moment of shock’ and ‘did not reflect my values’.
He said: ‘Last night I received the shocking news about a shooting at Charlie Kirkâs event. In that moment of shock, I reacted impulsively and made comments prior to Charlie being pronounced dead that I quickly deleted upon learning of his passing. Those words did not reflect my values.
‘To be clear: nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence. Nobody should be harmed or killed for the views they hold.
‘I may have disagreed strongly with Mr. Kirkâs politics, but in death we all deserve respect, and I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.
‘At the same time, my reaction was shaped by the context of Mr. Kirkâs own rhetoric â words that often dismissed or mocked the suffering of others. He described the deaths of American children from school shootings as an acceptable âcostâ of protecting gun rights.
‘He justified the killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, by blaming them collectively for Hamas. He called for the retraction of the Civil Rights Act, and repeatedly spread harmful stereotypes about LGBTQ and trans communities. These were horrific and dehumanising statements.
‘My reaction was not a call for violence, but a raw, unprocessed response to what felt like a painful irony. I retracted those words almost immediately, yet Iâve been troubled to see some in the media ignore my retraction while amplifying my deleted comments.
‘A standard of behaviour that is now leading to racist comments and a myriad of threats and discrimination made towards me. It is right to call out my insensitivity, but the same scrutiny must be applied to rhetoric that has caused real harm and continues to do so.â
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Charlie Kirk speaks to Abaraonye during a debate on ‘toxic masculinity’ at the Oxford Union
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President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social nearly five hours after the shooting, offering his sympathies to his wife and family
Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet while speaking about mass shootings at a university campus in Utah yesterday.
The married father-of-two was rushed to hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
A manhunt is still ongoing for the shooter, who was described as a male of college age – with officials saying on Thursday they had video footage of the individual.
They said a high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered from a wooded area nearby after the shooter jumped from the roof and fled the scene.
President Trump was quick to express his sadness at the tragedy, calling Kirk a ‘martyr for truth and freedom’.
‘Charlie was the best of America and the monster who was attacking him was attacking our whole country,’ he said, before ordering flags on US government buildings to be lowered to half-mast, including three at the White House.
He added in another post: ‘The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!’
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Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday
For Kirkâs family, the controversy adds insult to injury. Erika Kirk, a former Miss Arizona and founder of a faith-based clothing line, faces the loss of her husband and the father of their two children, aged 3 and 16 months. President Trump, speaking from the White House, vowed to honor Kirk with a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, while supporters have left tributes at Turning Point USAâs headquarters. The assassinationâs timingâduring a debate meant to foster dialogueâunderscores its tragedy, as does the question from Hunter Kozak, the last person to engage Kirk, about mass shootings.
Abaraonyeâs future at the Oxford Union remains uncertain. His past advocacy for racial equality and his debate with Kirk suggest a complex figure, yet the leaked messages have cast a shadow over his leadership. Calls for accountability, including from figures like Laura Loomer, who criticized social media celebrations of Kirkâs death, reflect broader concerns about the normalization of violent rhetoric.
Looking Forward
The allegations against Abaraonye raise profound questions. Can a leader who appears to cheer violence uphold the Oxford Unionâs legacy? How do we balance free speech with the responsibility to reject hate? As the FBI continues its manhunt for Kirkâs killer, analyzing footage and forensic evidence, the Oxford controversy serves as a microcosm of global tensions. The Union, once a stage for Kirkâs ideas, now faces a test of its own values.
For now, the world mourns Charlie Kirkâa husband, father, and polarizing voiceâwhile grappling with the implications of Abaraonyeâs words. This moment calls for reflection on how we engage across divides, ensuring debate remains a tool for understanding, not division. As vigils continue and the investigation unfolds, the hope is that Kirkâs legacy, and the lessons from this scandal, will inspire a recommitment to civil discourse.