The former president-elect of the Oxford Union, George Abalaonye, has issued an apology to Charlie Kirk’s family after previously celebrating Kirk’s death. This follows Kirk’s assassination during a speech at Utah Valley University on September 10. In a WhatsApp group for union members, Abalaonye reportedly said, “Charlie Kirk has been shot, let’s go,” and made similar posts on Instagram.
Abalaonye faced a loss of confidence within the union, with enough votes in October to trigger a consideration of his removal from office. Reflecting on the situation, he stated he didn’t have all the context when he reacted and admitted it was inappropriate. He deleted his comment and later expressed regret online upon realizing the serious implications of the incident.
Abalaonye, a 20-year-old studying philosophy, politics, and economics at University College, Oxford, shared that he wanted to convey his condolences to Kirk’s family, noting that it’s heartbreaking for anyone to lose a spouse or a parent. He has also mentioned that the debate around inviting Kirk to the Oxford Union was intense.
In comments about Kirk, he emphasized that Kirk had significant national influence, impacting American political decisions. He critiqued how reactions to the news of Kirk’s assassination often lacked depth, driven more by headlines than thoughtful engagement.
Abalaonye has received backlash for his initial comments, which he acknowledges were without nuance or careful thought. He has reached out for further dialogue on the matter.
