As leaders traverse various regions in the course of their duties, they may sometimes encounter hostile receptions from certain individuals, which can occasionally endanger their lives.
This article explores world leaders and presidents who have been hit by a shoe.
List of World Leaders Hit by a Shoe
-
William Ruto
President William Ruto launched the Affordable Housing Program in Kehancha, Suna West, Migori County, on Sunday, May 4, 2025. During the event, a shoe was thrown at him, and police quickly intervened.
They arrested three people shortly after the incident. Videos shared online show that people ran for safety as officers moved through the crowd to identify the suspected attackers.
The President, protected by the elite recce squad, struggled to regain his composure.
-
George W. Bush Jr.
On December 14, 2008, during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq, journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at President George W. Bush, shouting, “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog!”
Also Read: Recce Squad Swings into Action After Ruto Shoe Attack
He was expressing his anger over the corruption and chaos that followed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Bush managed to duck, and neither shoe hit him. As a result of the incident, al-Zaidi was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison, of which he served nine months.
He was later released and stated he never regretted the act.
-
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also the target of a shoe-throwing incident.
On February 5, 2013, during his visit to Cairo, Egypt, a man threw a shoe at him while he was at the Al-Hussein Mosque.
The shoe narrowly missed Ahmadinejad, and the assailant was quickly apprehended by security forces. This incident, captured on video, was widely reported in the media. The shoe was allegedly thrown in response to Ahmadinejad’s support for the Syrian government in its civil war.
-
John Howard
A shoe was thrown at former Australian Prime Minister John Howard during a live broadcast of the Q&A program on October 25, 2010.
Activist Peter Gray threw his shoes at Howard in protest of Australia’s support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq since 2003. Howard successfully dodged the shoes, and the event continued after a brief interruption.
- Mehdi Karroubi
Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi was hit in the face by a shoe on October 23, 2009. This incident occurred while he was attending the 16th annual press fair in Tehran, and the shoe was thrown by a supporter of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
- Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton, who was serving as U.S. Secretary of State in President Barack Obama’s administration, narrowly avoided being hit by a shoe during a speaking engagement in Las Vegas on April 10, 2014.
Also Read: Full List of President William Ruto’s 15 Advisors and Their Specialities
While delivering a keynote speech at a recycling convention, a woman threw a shoe at her. Clinton dodged the shoe and continued her speech with a lighthearted remark, saying,
“Thank goodness she didn’t play softball like I did.” The woman was later arrested by police in Las Vegas.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
