Former President Joe Biden’s surprise appearance at an awards ceremony for his son Hunter ended in an ugly confrontation Tuesday, with pro-Palestinian protesters throwing objects and apparent milk cartons toward his entourage outside Trinity College Dublin.
Demonstrators shouted “Genocide Joe,” “shame on you” and “you’ve got blood on your hands” as security escorted Biden toward a waiting black vehicle.
Footage showed a white liquid splashing near the group, with one police officer doused during the confrontation. The reporting does not establish that Biden himself was struck.
Irish police said Wednesday that three men, in their 50s, 30s and late teens, were arrested. The oldest was due in court, while the other two were released without charge.
Harper Alderson, editor of Trinity’s University Times student newspaper, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that officers used pepper spray on two protesters.
The unrest followed a ceremony where Hunter received the College Historical Society’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse, with his father and former first lady Jill Biden in attendance.
During a question-and-answer session, Hunter defended his father’s handling of Gaza before urging critics to turn their attention to President Donald Trump’s administration.
“I think that my dad tried to make the best decisions at the time with the information that he had…,” Hunter said.
He condemned what was happening in Gaza while arguing that his father had worked to stop the bloodshed.
“Where’s that energy for the current administration?” Hunter asked. “Let’s focus on what we can change now rather than looking into the past and deciding who to blame.”
WATCH:
Objects were thrown as former US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden left Trinity College Dublin today.
Pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered outside, and Gardaí arrested at least two people. https://t.co/GxS2NuHUlj
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 10, 2026
Biden faced repeated protests during his presidency over his administration’s military support for Israel. He also drew criticism after saying he had “no confidence” in death toll figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry.
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Inside Trinity’s examination hall, the former president received applause when attendees noticed his unannounced arrival. He sat in the front row as Hunter addressed the gathering.
Hunter became emotional while describing a family intervention during his struggle with addiction. Biden bowed his head during that portion of the speech and later led a standing ovation for his son.
The award from the College Historical Society, known as The Hist, came nearly two years after Biden pardoned Hunter in December 2024.
Hunter was convicted of federal gun charges in June 2024 and pleaded guilty to federal tax charges that September.
The Dublin trip also came days after Biden said his health would limit promotional appearances for his upcoming memoir, “Promise Me, America.”
Biden disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, several months after leaving the White House.
During the visit, he also met Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the Merrion Hotel.
Speaking later to reporters at Tallaght Stadium, Martin said he thanked Biden for his support for Ireland, including his role in defending the Northern Ireland peace agreement during Britain’s departure from the European Union.
“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, the 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.
“These interventions at that time were particularly effective and impactful in a beneficial way for Ireland.”
