Pro-Palestinian demonstrators threw milk cartons at Joe Biden on Tuesday and repeatedly shouted “Genocide Joe” as the former US president made an unannounced visit to Trinity College Dublin.
Biden was accompanied by his wife, former first lady Jill Biden, for a ceremony honouring their son, Hunter Biden, with the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse.
As the couple departed, protesters gathered outside the college surged forward and began throwing objects towards the former president.
Video showed milk-filled cartons being launched at Biden as security officers escorted him into a black vehicle. The crowd could be heard chanting “shame on you”, “you’ve got blood on your hands” and “Genocide Joe”.
Police attempted to contain the demonstrators, and one officer was splashed with milk while trying to detain a female protester.
At least two people were reportedly pepper-sprayed by Gardaí before being arrested.
Biden has faced criticism over his support for supplying military aid to Israel, as well as comments in which he said he had “no confidence” in death toll figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The former president travelled to Dublin to stand alongside Hunter, who has spoken publicly about his long-running struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.
Gardaí arrest a man outside Trinity College during a protest involving Biden
Former US president Joe Biden arrives as his son Hunter Biden visits the College Historical Society in Dublin to receive the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse. Picture date: Tuesday November 10, 2026
Hunter was convicted in the US of gun and tax offences in June 2024, but his father pardoned him later that year while still serving as president.
The former attorney and artist received the medal from the College Historical Society, commonly known as The Hist, for his contribution to public discussion.
Biden and Jill Biden were greeted by applause when they entered the venue. The former president appeared emotional as Hunter took to the stage and was later seen seated in the front row of the Trinity College hall.
The visit came after Biden said this month that he would need to reduce promotional appearances for his forthcoming memoir, Promise Me, America, as he continues treatment for prostate cancer.
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He disclosed his cancer diagnosis in May last year, fewer than four years after leaving the White House.
In an emotional speech on Tuesday, Hunter spoke candidly about his past substance-abuse problems.
He also defended his father when questioned about the war in Gaza.
“I think that my dad tried to make the best decisions at the time with the information that he had…,” he said.
“I totally agree that what is happening in Gaza… is absolutely and completely wrong and there is no excuse for it… That being said, I know his story, and I know that he more than anyone… attempted to curtail and stop.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters throw milk cartons at Joe Biden during his visit to Trinity College in Dublin
Pro-Palestinian protesters chant “Genocide Joe” at the former US president
Hunter also urged people to scrutinise the policies of current US President Donald Trump in the Middle East.
“Where’s that energy for the current administration?” he asked. “Let’s focus on what we can change now rather than looking into the past and deciding who to blame.”
Biden also held a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin during his visit.
Speaking to reporters later at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Martin said he had thanked Biden for his support for Ireland.
“In the early years, he was a great supporter of the peace process, and then latterly he was a really strong supporter of Ireland in the context of Brexit,” Martin said.
“And if you recall, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was leading the UK in a particular direction, and I think President Biden intervened at that time to say that any undermining of the Good Friday Agreement would mean any potential trade agreement between the US and the UK could simply not happen.
“Those interventions were particularly effective and influential at the time, and they benefited Ireland.”