The Oxford Union is facing a financial crisis after its president-elect appeared to celebrate the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk last month.
Donations believed to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds have been put on hold and speakers have pulled out of debates in backlash to remarks made by incoming president George Abaraonye, sources have told The Telegraph.
Leaked messages from a WhatsApp group chat appeared to show Mr Abaraonye say: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f****** go".
A separate message, believed to have originated from his Instagram account, read: “Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - an elongated version of the "laugh out loud" acronym.
Speakers have pulled out of debates in backlash to remarks made by incoming president George Abaraonye
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The Oxford Union president-elect and final-year philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) student debated Mr Kirk just months prior to his death, with the pair locking horns over toxic masculinity and gender roles.
Mr Abaraonye later apologised for his remarks, claiming he had learnt from his "mistake" amid the intense backlash.
He is now awaiting the results of a vote of no confidence that could see him ousted from his positions before he officially begins next academic term.
However, some officials within the Oxford Union fear the comments may have permanently tarnished the reputation of the prestigious debating society.
PICTURED: George Abaraonye in a debate with Charlie Kirk in May 2025 | OXFORD UNIONAn Oxford Union official told The Telegraph: “Honestly, it feels like it’s [the union] lost its identity. We’re used to controversy but this has been complete and utter turmoil.
"I’m worried if George Abaraonye stays, there will be no future for the union.
“How can you have a free speech society where the incoming president celebrates the death of a free speech activist?”
Another source told the newspaper that up to 40 speakers scheduled to take part in debates have pulled out in direct response to Mr Abaraonye's comments.
Oxford Union officials fear the comments may have permanently tarnished the reputation of the prestigious debating society
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It is understood that one of the high-profile speakers to have withdrawn is Candace Owens, a close friend of Mr Kirk and a prominent conservative commentator.
A donation thought to be around £500,000 has been frozen, and other backers have warned they may pull their support if Mr Abaraonye stays in his role.
Sign-ups for the Oxford Union at their freshers week stall has slumped to roughly half the usual number of students, a source told The Telegraph.
The results of the vote of no confidence is expected to be published on Sunday morning.
An Oxford Union spokesman told the newspaper: “Over 40 speakers pulling out is completely false.
"We invite a vast number of speakers, many of whom are unable to accommodate our invitation due to logistical reasons.
“Every term, we have many people conjecturing over which speakers are coming or not.
"The only people responsible for such deliberations are the senior members of the ongoing term’s committee, for they are the one’s aware of scheduling, and booking speakers."
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