Dublin, Ireland — Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden were pelted with milk cartons and other objects by pro-Palestinian protesters outside Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, in a chaotic scene that ended with at least two arrests. The Biden Dublin protest erupted as the couple left a ceremony where their son Hunter Biden had just been honoured, a reminder that his record on the war in Gaza still follows him in public.

Key Points

• Joe and Jill Biden were pelted with milk cartons by pro-Palestinian protesters outside Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, as they left an awards ceremony for their son Hunter Biden.
• Hunter Biden received the College Historical Society's Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse, and the family's trip to Ireland was a surprise, unannounced visit.
• Irish police arrested at least two people and pepper-sprayed at least two protesters, and officers tackled one activist who tried to reach the Bidens' motorcade.
• No member of the Biden family was hit, and no injuries were reported.
• Biden, 83, is battling prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, and he said on Sunday he can make only limited appearances to promote his upcoming memoir.

What Happened

The confrontation took place outside Trinity College Dublin, the historic university on College Green, as the Bidens were leaving the ceremony honouring their son. A crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered outside the college gates, and as the former president and former first lady emerged, protesters began throwing milk cartons and other objects in their direction. Aides moved quickly to shield the couple, holding an umbrella over them as they were hurried toward their motorcade, while Gardai held the crowd back.

Video from the scene showed the milk cartons arcing through the air. According to Irish media, officers tackled one activist who tried to push closer to the motorcade, and at least two protesters were pepper-sprayed as police restored order. The protest was aimed squarely at Joe Biden's record on the war in Gaza. Demonstrators chanted "Genocide Joe", "blood on your hands" and "shame on you", and the Trinity College Dublin Students' Union and the Irish student union had both criticised the decision to invite Hunter Biden to receive the award.

Background and Context

The Bidens had travelled to Ireland with no advance public announcement. Hunter Biden was receiving the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse from the College Historical Society, founded in 1770. The college had presented the visit as a celebration of public discourse, but the invitation drew sharp criticism from student groups, and the protest outside made clear that, for many in Dublin, the occasion could not be separated from the Gaza war.

The visit also came at a difficult moment for the former president. Biden, 83, is battling prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, and local reports described him as appearing frail and moving slowly. On Sunday, before travelling, Biden said he will only be able to make limited appearances to promote his upcoming presidential memoir because of the diagnosis. The trip was meant to be a low-key family occasion, but it became the latest in a pattern of protests over the Gaza war that has followed him since he left office.

Biden Dublin Protest: How the Confrontation Unfolded

Demonstrators carrying placards had gathered outside while the ceremony was under way, and the crowd was chanting loudly as the Bidens emerged. The first objects were thrown as the couple reached the pavement. Aides opened a large black umbrella and held it over the Bidens as they were guided toward the motorcade, while police officers moved in to hold the crowd back.

One activist tried to break through the police line to get closer to the motorcade and was tackled by officers, according to Irish media. At least two protesters were pepper-sprayed, and at least two people were arrested. The Gardai have not released the identities of those arrested, and no charges had been announced as of Tuesday evening. The Bidens reached their vehicle without being struck, and the motorcade left shortly afterwards.

Reactions and Quotes

The protesters made their message plain in the chants that rang out across College Green: "Genocide Joe", "blood on your hands" and "shame on you". The slogans were aimed at Biden's record on Gaza, where his administration continued to supply Israel with weapons even as the civilian death toll rose. For the demonstrators, the award ceremony for his son was an occasion to hold the former president to account in person, and they chose the most visible moment of his visit to do it.

The student opposition had been public before the ceremony began. The Trinity College Dublin Students' Union and the Irish student union both criticised the invitation to Hunter Biden, calling the honour inappropriate given the family's record on Gaza. Irish police confirmed the arrests and the use of pepper spray, and reported that no injuries had been recorded. The Bidens' office did not immediately issue a public statement.

Why It Matters

The Dublin confrontation shows that the political consequences of the Gaza war are still following Joe Biden into his post-presidency, and into countries far from Washington. A former president on a private family trip was met not with ceremony but with thrown objects and chants accusing him of complicity in a war. It shows how deeply the Gaza issue has damaged his standing, particularly among younger voters and activists.

What Happens Next

Irish police are expected to decide in the coming days whether to bring charges against the people arrested, and the Gardai have said the investigation remains active. For the Bidens, the visit continues as a private family trip, and the former president's memoir promotion will proceed on the limited schedule he described on Sunday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Joe and Jill Biden in Dublin?
Pro-Palestinian protesters pelted the Bidens with milk cartons outside Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, as they left a ceremony honouring Hunter Biden. Aides shielded them with an umbrella and police arrested at least two people.

Why were protesters demonstrating against Biden?
They were protesting his record on the war in Gaza, chanting "Genocide Joe", "blood on your hands" and "shame on you".

Why were the Bidens in Ireland?
They made a surprise, unannounced trip to Dublin so Hunter Biden could receive the College Historical Society's Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse.

Was anyone injured or charged?
No injuries were reported and no one in the family was struck. At least two people were arrested and at least two protesters were pepper-sprayed; no charges had been announced as of Tuesday evening.

How is Biden's health?
Biden, 83, is battling prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. He said on Sunday he will only be able to make limited appearances to promote his upcoming memoir.

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