“Genocide Joe”: Protesters throw objects at Joe Biden during surprise Dublin visit
Former US President Joe Biden faced pro-Palestinian protesters who threw objects, including milk, toward him and his motorcade during a surprise visit to Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday.
Biden, accompanied by former First Lady Jill Biden, attended a ceremony at the College Historical Society where their son Hunter Biden received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse.
Protesters gathered outside the venue to oppose Biden’s policies on the ‘Israeli’ war on Gaza during his presidency.
As the family left the ceremony, some demonstrators moved forward and threw objects.
Crowds chanted “Genocide Joe,” “Shame on you,” and “Blood, blood on your hands.”
One student was recorded saying, “We are not complicit in genocide. Joe Biden is not allowed on campus. As such a staunchly pro-Palestine campus, it is embarrassing we have invited this man on to our campus. We denounce his presence here.”
Irish police, known as Gardaí, deployed public order officers and vans.
At least two people were arrested. Footage showed officers using batons during detentions, and a student newspaper editor told RTÉ that pepper spray was used on two protesters.
Harper Alderson, editor of Trinity’s University Times, said: “The protest grew very large as the cars were moving through front square of the college. Students were surrounding them and chanting ‘Genocide Joe,’ ‘Shame on you’ and ‘guards off our campus’ among other things.”
Biden entered the examination hall unannounced and received applause once noticed.
Hunter Biden addressed the gathering and became emotional discussing his experiences with addiction.
He told the audience he was “incredibly honoured” by the award and said of his father’s presence: “He’s great, he’s good, he’s here.” Previous recipients of the medal include former Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Bob Geldof, and Desmond Tutu.
During the visit, Biden also met Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a Dublin hotel.
Martin said he was “very pleased to welcome” the family and that they reflected on Biden’s “strong Irish roots” and previous support for Ireland, including the peace process and Brexit-related issues.
Martin later noted they discussed Mayo’s recent All-Ireland success and shared lighter anecdotes.
The visit occurred as Biden has scaled back public appearances to promote his upcoming memoir amid treatment for aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
He announced the diagnosis in 2025 and has undergone radiation and hormone therapy.
Hunter Biden was convicted of gun and tax offenses in 2024 and later received a presidential pardon from his father.
The family left the campus under heavy security protection.
The demonstration dispersed after the arrests, with no reports of injuries to Biden or his family.
