The Oxford Union is in financial chaos after huge donations have been frozen following a free speech row over Charlie Kirk.
It has been reported that sums of up to £500,000 have been frozen and prominent figures have pulled out of the debate following the president-elect’s controversial comments at the debating club.
George Abaraonye, 20, who interviewed Mr Kirk just months before his death, sparked outrage by sending a WhatsApp message that appeared to celebrate violence against the US influencer.
Abaraonye said in a leaked group chat: “Charlie Kirk was shot, let’s go to hell.”
Another post, believed to be from his Instagram account, saw him joke about it: “Charlie Kirk got shot loool”.
He later deleted the post after learning of Mr Kirk’s death and admitted he had “behaved badly” “not knowing the situation”.
But the messages have embroiled the union in scandal, with one official telling The Telegraph: “Honestly, it feels like it (the union) has lost its identity. We’re used to controversy but this has been complete turmoil. I’m worried if George Abaraonye stays, the union has no future.
“How can there be a free speech society where a future president celebrates the death of a free speech activist?”
Sums of up to £500,000 have been frozen and prominent figures have pulled out of speaking at the debating club following controversial comments made by president-elect George Abaraonye, 20.
Mr Abaraonye, who discussed Mr Kirk just months before his death, sparked outrage by sending a WhatsApp message that appeared to celebrate violence against the US influencer Pictured at the Oxford Union in May 2025.
It has been claimed that several speakers have said they will pull out of planned events, and donors have threatened to withdraw their funds because of the politics, philosophy and ethics student’s remarks.
Cancellations include; Candace Owens, US right-wing commentator; Zia Yusuf, Head of Policy at Reform UK; Calvin Klein; Serena Williams and Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Now, in an unusual move, an Oxford University student has launched a motion of no confidence against himself to reclaim “real responsibility”.
On Saturday, a vote was held by Oxford Union members on whether to oust him from his role, which is due to start in January.
Mr. Abaraonye hopes that enough people will vote for him so that he can continue in office with new legitimacy.
Although it has been reported that a senior Oxford Union source said they have had to stress to many prospective speakers that the current administration is no longer associated with Mr Abaraonye.
A group in the Oxford Union called Concerned Alumni organized a campaign to get enough people to sign up to oust him.
Abaraonye will have to step down as president-elect if two-thirds of those polled vote against him.
In a leaked WhatsApp group chat, Abaraonye said: “Charlie Kirk was shot, let’s go to hell”.
The Oxford Union is a 200-year-old debating society for Oxford students and alumni, independent of the University’s management.
So far, the university has not taken any disciplinary action against Mr. Abaraonye.
A spokesperson for the Oxford Union told The Telegraph: “We are inviting a large number of speakers, many of whom will not be able to accept our invitation for logistical reasons.
“Every semester a lot of people think about which speakers will come or not.
“The only people responsible for such negotiations are the senior members of the committee for the current term, as they are aware of the schedules and the booking of speakers.”