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1 year ago
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President Joe Biden and his family took over downtown Nantucket Friday for a meal and shopping as the U.S. waits for its hostages to be released from Gaza.
The president's traditional Black Friday jaunt was delayed due to the first release of hostages from Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas' brutal October 7 terror attack on Israel.
Biden used Nantucket's waterfront White Elephant Hotel to deliver remarks on the hostage situation after the White House confirmed that no U.S. citizens were included in the first group of 24.
The Bidens then had a very late lunch at the historic whaling bar Brotherhood of Thieves and then popped into Nantucket Bookworks, stops that are part of their family Thanksgiving trip tradition.
The president acknowledged he was doing some Christmas shopping.
President Joe Biden (left) bought a copy of Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson at Nantucket Bookworks as he shopped with his family Friday, including granddaughter Finnegan (right), as the U.S. waits for its hostages to be freed from Gaza
First lady Jill Biden (left) waves to onlookers as she shops in Nantucket with daughter Ashley Biding (right) on Friday
Hunter Biden (left) holds hands with his wife Melissa Cohen (left) and holds a hoodie from Brotherhood of Thieves, the Nantucket restaurant where the Biden family likes to have their Black Friday lunch
'Yes. Can't come without going to the bookstore. We've got a tradition,' he said.
Biden walked out of the bookstore carrying the tome Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson.
'We're having a great time, thank you,' Dr. Biden told reporters after stepping out of the bookstore.
The president then popped into Craftmasters of Nantucket, a store Hunter was spotted in Wednesday, where the first son purchased a pair of slippers - potentially a gift for the president as the family was celebrating his 81st birthday that day.
Hunter was out Friday with his wife Melissa Cohen.
They held hands while the first son carried a Brotherhood of Thieves hoodie with him as they walked down the Nantucket streets.
Hunter's daughters from his first marriage, Maisy, Finnegan and Naomi, were also on hand, as was Naomi's husband of one year, Peter Neal.
First lady Jill Biden (right) steps out of a Nantucket storefront with granddaughter Finnegan Biden (left) after the family had a late lunch and shopping day ahead of the Christmas tree lighting
First lady Jill Biden walks through downtown Nantucket on Friday. She stepped out earlier than the president to do a little shopping before joining up with him and the rest of the Biden clan
Secret Service and White House staff hang out in downtown Nantucket as onlookers try to take pictures of President Joe Biden and his family members as they dined and shopped Friday afternoon
First daughter Ashley Biden, sporting a festive kelly green coat, walked side by side with her mother.
She was joined at the Christmas tree lighting by her husband Howard Krein and sported a festive holly and reindeer eared headband.
The children of the late Beau Biden, Hunter and Natalie, also joined the family on their outing.
Onlookers shouted 'Happy Birthday' at the president, who in turn wished them a 'Happy Thanksgiving!'
The president walked into the Jewelers’ Gallery as Hunter, Melissa and their son baby Beau waited for the commander-in-chief outside.
President Joe Biden walks out of his SUV as he spent Friday in downtown Nantucket, first addressing the hostages being released in Gaza and then stepping out for lunch, shopping and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony
President Joe Biden and first daughter Ashley Biden are seen through the window Friday afternoon at Craftmasters of Nantucket,a store that Hunter Biden was spotted in on Wednesday
President Joe Biden departs his late lunch at the classic Nantucket whaling bar, Brotherhood of Thieves Friday afternoon
The Biden clan reacts to the Christmas tree lighting Friday evening on Nantucket. (From left) Hunter, Melissa Cohen, the president, Ashley Biden, Howard Krein, little Hunter, Finnegan, baby Beau, Maisy and Dr. Jill Biden
Several children had tried sticking their hands out of a window next door, but Secret Service agents warned them to close it.
But their move was rewarded once they came downstairs, as the president posed with them for a photo, asking Hunter to snap the pic.
After the shopping excursion the family ended up at Nantucket's annual Christmas tree lighting.
This year, with heightened tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, a group of protesters unfurled banners and started shouting at the president after the tree's lights were turned on.
'Biden, Biden you can't hide. We charge you with genocide,' they chanted.
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