George Abaraonye, the Oxford Union president-elect, has issued an apology to the family of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, following his controversial remarks that surfaced after Kirk’s tragic assassination. Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2023, prompting Abaraonye’s resignation from the historic debate society just weeks later.
In a statement made on October 21, 2023, Abaraonye expressed regret for his initial comments, which he described as “heartless.” He extended his condolences to Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and their two children, acknowledging the profound impact of their loss. “I want to offer my apologies and my condolences. No one deserves to lose a husband, no child deserves to grow up without a father,” he stated, as reported by The Times.
Shortly after the shooting, Abaraonye had made insensitive remarks on social media, celebrating the incident. He posted on WhatsApp, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f–king go,” which he later reiterated on Instagram. He claimed these comments were made before he had full context of the situation and emphasized that he did not understand the severity of the event at the time.
Abaraonye explained, “I had very little context for what I was reacting to, but I wanted to start a conversation… I missed the mark… and that’s why I deleted and retracted my comments.” He quickly recognized the gravity of the situation and sought to apologize on Instagram as soon as he understood the implications of his words.
His comments ignited significant backlash, leading to a vote of no confidence against him on October 21. The result was overwhelming, with a vote of 1,228 to 501 in favor of his removal from the presidency. Abaraonye acknowledged his misjudgment, stating, “I reacted without nuance and without having done research. I saw a headline and I reacted.”
The Oxford Union confirmed his resignation following the vote, marking a swift end to his presidency. Abaraonye, a third-year student studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, had previously debated Kirk during his visit to Oxford in May, where tensions arose over discussions on masculinity and societal expectations.
The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, was apprehended shortly after the incident and faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.
In a poignant Thanksgiving message shared online, Erika Kirk reflected on her husband’s love for the holiday, emphasizing the importance of gratitude even in the face of grief. “God blessed me with being married to the love of my life, with our beautiful babies, with our family and friends, and with people from all over the world who have sent us letters, toys, artwork, and Bibles,” she wrote.
This incident highlights the consequences of thoughtless commentary in the age of social media, as well as the profound human impact of violence and loss on families and communities.
