Former President Joseph R. Biden’s discreet visit to Harvard University for a private seminar was overshadowed by vocal protests and logistical missteps. On Wednesday, Biden joined a select group of faculty and students at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute for Politics, invited by former White House senior advisor Michael Donilon, now a resident fellow.
Protests Disrupt Biden’s Low-Key Harvard Seminar
However, news of the off-the-record event leaked, drawing about a dozen anti-Israel activists. According to the Harvard Crimson, protesters chanted, “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide! You’re committing genocide,” while banging drums and ringing bells, creating a tense atmosphere outside the closed-door discussion.
Biden Defends Harvard Amid Federal Funding Clash
During the seminar, Biden voiced strong support for Harvard’s stance in its ongoing conflict with the Trump administration, which recently withheld $2.2 billion in federal funding and threatened to strip the university’s tax-exempt status over concerns about campus antisemitism and ideological issues.
“Harvard stepped up in a way no one else has,” Biden said, as reported by the Crimson, citing two attending students.
“You should be really thankful.” The remarks underscore Biden’s alignment with the university, though he did not meet with Harvard President Alan Garber during his visit, according to the student newspaper.
Gaffes and Ice Cream Mishap Steal the Spotlight
Biden’s appearance was not without the verbal slip-ups that marked his 2024 presidential campaign.
The Crimson noted that he mistakenly referred to Ukraine as Iraq while discussing Russia’s invasion, requiring a correction from Donilon.
The 82-year-old former president, who has kept a low profile since leaving office on January 20, also faced an awkward moment post-seminar when he bit into a partially melted ice cream bar, only for it to fall to the floor, as reported Thursday.
These incidents, coupled with the protest, detracted from the intended focus of his visit.
Biden’s Quiet Return to Public Life
The Harvard event marked one of Biden’s first public engagements since his presidency ended.
On Tuesday, he delivered his first post-office speech at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled conference in Chicago, where he criticized President Trump’s stance on Social Security.
The Harvard visit, intended as a low-key academic exchange, instead highlighted the challenges Biden faces in navigating his post-presidency, from managing public appearances to addressing contentious issues like campus protests and federal-university tensions. As he re-enters the public sphere, such moments may shape perceptions of his legacy.
