President-elect of Oxford Union to face disciplinary proceedings for Charlie Kirk remarks

Union makes announcement alongside condemnation of racial abuse George Abaraonye suffered after ‘inappropriate remarks’ celebrating shooting

Donna Ferguson

The president-elect of the Oxford Union will face disciplinary proceedings for making “inappropriate remarks” celebrating the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the union has announced on social media.

George Abaraonye, a student at the University of Oxford who became president-elect of the debating society after a vote in June,posted several comments in a WhatsApp group appearing to celebrate what happened, according to the Telegraph.

This included one saying: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s fucking go.” Another message, purportedly sent from Abaraonye’s Instagram account, read: “Charlie Kirk got shot loool.”

The Oxford Unionsaid on Saturday that Abaraonye had suffered racial abuse and threats since his comments were revealedin the Telegraph on Thursday. (Too bad, Charlie is dead, that’s worse)

In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, the union reiterated that it had already condemned the president-elect’s “inappropriate remarks”. The society added: “We emphasise that these are his personal views and not those of the Union, nor do they represent the values of our institution.

“At the same time, we are deeply disturbed by and strongly condemn the racial abuse and threats that George has faced in response. No individual should ever be attacked because of the colour of their skin or the community they come from. Threats to his life are abhorrent. Such rhetoric has no place online, or anywhere in society.” (These kids are psychopaths. He can be happy Charlie got shot but takes offense if there was racial abuse.)

The statement went on todefend the right to free speech and freedom of expression, but added that free speech “cannot and will not come at the expense of violence, intimidation, or hate”.(how about death, like Charlie got?)

“The Oxford Union does not possess executive powers to summarily dismiss a president-elect. However, the complaints filed against the president-elect have been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings and will be addressed with the utmost seriousness.

“Our duty is to demonstrate to our members, the university community, alumni, and the wider public, that disagreement must be expressed through debate and dialogue, not through abuse or threats. That is the tradition we uphold, and it is the standard we will continue to set.”

On Thursday, Abaraonye said he had “reacted impulsively” to the news of Kirk’s shooting, and that the comments were “quickly deleted” after news emerged of his death.

“Those words did not reflect my values,” Abaraonye added. “Nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence … I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.

“At the same time, my reaction was shaped by the context of Mr Kirk’s own rhetoric(Justification) – words that often dismissed or mocked the suffering of others. He described the deaths of American children from school shootings as an acceptable ‘cost’ 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.”

Kirk and Abaraonye had met during a debate on toxic masculinity held by the Oxford Union in May, the Telegraph reported. Donald Trump, the US president, paid tribute to Kirk as a “martyr for truth and freedom” after the shooting.

Valerie Amos, the master of University College, Oxford, said on Friday that no disciplinary action would be taken against Abaraonye by the college he attends.

Amos said:“Though Mr Abaraonye’s comments are abhorrent, they do not contravene the college’s policies on free speech, or any other relevant policy. Therefore, no disciplinary action will be taken.”

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/sep/13/president-elect-to-face-disciplinary-proceedings-for-charlie-kirk-remarks-oxford-union-says

And 3.5 million views

https://x.com/elliottengenMN/status/1966884369194221627

Comcast

A Message from Brian Roberts, Mike Cavanagh and Mark Lazarus

The following letter was sent to all Comcast NBCUniversal employees on Friday, September 12, 2025.

Dear Comcast NBCUniversal Team,

The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old father, husband, and advocate for open debate, whose faith was important to him, reminds us of the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity in our nation. Our hearts are heavy, as his passing leaves a grieving family and a country grappling with division. There is no place for violence or hate in our society.

You may have seen thatMSNBC recently ended its association with a contributorwho made an unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event.

That coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue and being willing to listen to the points of view of those who have differing opinions.We should be able to disagree, robustly and passionately, but, ultimately, with respect. We need to do better.

Charlie Kirk believed that “when people stop talking, really bad stuff starts.”Regardless of whether you agreed with his political views,his words and actions underscore the urgency to maintain a respectful exchange of ideas– a principle we must champion.

We believe in the power of communication to bring us together. Today, that belief feels more vital than ever.Something essential has fractured in our public discourse, and as a company that values the power of information, we have a responsibility to help mend it.

As employees,we ask you to embody our values in your work and communities. We should engage with respect, listen, and treat people with kindness.

https://corporate.comcast.com/stories/a-statement-from-comcast

Pete Hegseth tells Pentagon staff to hunt for negative Charlie Kirk posts by service members

Several people have already been relieved of their jobs because of their posts on social media, defense officials told NBC Sept. 12, 2025

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told his staff to identify any members of the military who have mocked or condoned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk so that they can be punished, two defense officials told NBC News.

Several service members have been relieved from their jobs because of such posts, the officials said, adding that Hegseth’s directive also pertains to others associated with the Defense Department. It’s unclear exactly how many people have been disciplined.

Hegseth and other senior Pentagon leaders posted messages on X this week calling on the public to report any posts that could be interpreted as negative about Kirk or unsympathetic about his murder.

“We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable,” Hegseth wrote on X Thursday.

His post was in response to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell saying on X, “It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”

“The Department of War has zero tolerance for it,” Parnell added, using the secondary name for the Defense Department.

Many social media users have heeded the call, assisting Hegseth and the Pentagon in finding and flagging posts. Dozens of service members and civilian Pentagon employees have had their posts highlighted and collected under the hashtag #RevolutionariesintheRanks.

Some of the posts in that collection don’t necessarily condone or mock Kirk’s murder but have been viewed as unfavorable — including one that read, “I don’t give a s— about Charlie Kirk.”

Others have been much harsher. “The hatred you spew is enough to get you what you deserve pal,” one post read.

One U.S. military officer said troops know they are not allowed to condone political violence, but being fired for criticizing a person, particularly a civilian who has no ties to the military, is extremely rare.

“We can’t criticize the commander in chief, but I can’t remember anyone ever telling me we can’t say anything critical about a civilian like this. He was not in our chain of command or anything,” the officer said.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has called for the investigation of an Army major general, saying on X that his son had posted online that Kirk was a “racist homophobe misogynist.”

She said the son works for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to “fire” him. Loomer also said Hegseth should “review the employment” of his father.

A spokesperson for FEMA said the “employee’s words are revolting and unconscionable” and he “was immediately placed on administrative leave.”

“Celebrating the death of a fellow American is appalling, unacceptable and sickening. Such behavior does not reflect the values of public service, and it will not be tolerated among individuals entrusted to work at FEMA,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The disciplinary action against the employee was first reported by Fox News.

Asked for comment on the effort to find these social media posts, the Pentagon referred back to Parnell’s statement. “Beyond that, we don’t have anything additional to provide from the Department’s level and we would refer you to the services,” another defense official said.

Kirk, an influential conservative and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead Wednesday at an event on a college campus in Utah.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/hegseth-pentagon-staff-negative-charlie-kirk-posts-service-members-rcna230915