Joe Biden surprise visit to Ireland, Digi Mart USA News (Dublin, Ireland): Joe Biden, former president of the United States, was harassed and pelted with objects during a surprise visit to Ireland. At least two people have been detained.
The 83-year-old Biden was in the capital, Dublin, for a visit to Trinity College.
His son Hunter was honored there with a gold medal by the student debating society The Hist, “for his exceptional contribution to public debate.” Joe Biden entered the hall unannounced and watched the ceremony from the front row, seated beside his wife, former first lady Jill Biden.
During the ceremony, a crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside and grew larger. Chants reportedly included “Genocide Joe,” “Blood, blood on your hands” and “Shame on you.” During his presidency, Biden expressed support for Israel and said he had no confidence in the death toll published by the Gaza Ministry of Health.
In his speech at the ceremony, Hunter Biden described Israeli bombardments of Gaza as “mass murder.” “I completely agree that what is happening in Gaza is absolutely and completely wrong. There is no excuse for it.” Hunter also said his father “tried to make the best possible decisions based on the information he had at the time” while president.
When the Bidens left the building after the ceremony, demonstrators pushed forward and threw objects, including cartons of milk. Footage shows a police officer using a baton against one demonstrator who was being detained.
Two people were arrested. According to the university newspaper University Times, police also used pepper spray.
Biden was then escorted to a car by his security personnel, who shielded him with umbrellas.
Last year, it was disclosed that Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of his body, including his bones. Ahead of the November 17 release of his memoir, Promise Me, America, Biden said his illness means he can make fewer public appearances than he had hoped.
“Some days are better than others,” Biden wrote on X. “That hasn’t stopped me.
But sometimes it does slow me down.”
Hunter Biden was convicted in 2024 of gun and tax offenses committed while he was struggling with drug addiction. At the end of his presidential term, Joe Biden pardoned his son.
