A University of Oxford student has doubled down on his “insensitive” WhatsApp in response to Charlie Kirk’s death.
George Abaraonye, incoming president-elect of the Oxford Debate society, sent a variety of texts into a WhatsApp group chat reading: “CHARLIE GOT SHOT LETS F*CKING GO” followed by the prayer emoji. He also messaged: “Scoreboard FM”
He later apologised for his words, explaining he reacted “impulsively” and claiming his reaction was “shaped by the context of Mr Kirk’s own rhetoric.”
via YouTube
Another student also shared messages seen by The Tab about Charlie’s death, writing: “He was pro guns LMFAO”, this prompted George Abaraonye, the president of Oxford debate to respond with “It really writes itself, doesn’t it” .He also quickly unsent many other messages.
Despite this, George, who debated with Charlie Kirk at an event in May 2025, explained he was disappointed by the response to his comments and said: “My words were no less insensitive than his – arguably less so.”
Speaking to the New Statesman, George explained: “I’ve been troubled to see members of the media ignore my retraction and self-reflection.”
Speaking about the the appropriateness of his message, George added: “It is right to call out the insensitivity of my initial reaction. But the irony is not lost on me that many of those now threatening violence and hurling abuse toward me, and toward people who look like me, have shown no interest in holding Charlie Kirk to the same standard when he mocked children killed by gun violence or excused the deaths of women and children abroad.”
The incoming president-elect now faces a vote of no confidence after 200 life members of debating society express willingness to support move. He is also facing disciplinary action.
George also compared his own messages to the words of the right-wing politician: “My words were no less insensitive than his – arguably less so; the difference is that I had the humility to recognise when I strayed from my core values, and I addressed it immediately upon reflection.”
In his initial apology, George claimed he acted on impulse and retracted his words: “Last night I received the shocking news about a shooting at Charlie Kirk’s 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.”
He added: “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 Kirk’s politics, but in death, we all deserve respect, and I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.
“My reaction was shaped by the context of Mr Kirk’s own rhetoric. My reaction was not a call for violence, but a raw, unprocessed response to what felt like a painful irony.”
George originally experienced backlash when he first sent the texts from from students in the WhatsApp group chat when he first sent the texts, with one writing, “ How are you celebrating someone getting shot?”
He shared in his statement that he has also received an influx of “racist comments and a myriad of threats and discrimination” from the wider public.
George also criticised the media for “amplifying” his deleted messages and says this is driving the inundation of “racist comments” and “discrimination” towards him.
Featured image via YouTube
