What Happened Next: The Evening The Activist Group Projected Images of Trump and Epstein on to Windsor Castle
When plans were revealed for the former president's second state visit, complete with a Windsor Castle banquet on 17 September 2025, the activist collective Led By Donkeys felt compelled not to let it pass without a statement. The gesture of offering a lavish welcome was viewed as especially servile. Their subsequent creative protest proceeded like clockwork.
A Provocative Film
The group produced a nine-minute film detailing Donald Trump’s relationship with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “The president of the United States is alleged to have been a long-time close friend of the nation's most infamous child sex trafficker. His name is said to be referenced, repeatedly, in the files from the investigation into Epstein … And now that very man, Donald Trump, is sleeping here within Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump has stated he fell out with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s first arrest and repeatedly refuted all allegations concerning Epstein.)
The Setup
The activists had booked rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, which boast views of the castle and, even more helpfully, superior castle views, according to group founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a high-lumen projector. For audio, Stewart placed a wireless speaker, concealed inside a cereal box, on top of a garbage can outside.
International press had gathered, staring at the castle, becoming bored as Trump was delayed. The film, however, spread rapidly globally. “Although the still pictures of Epstein and Trump spread like wildfire online,” Stewart notes, “I’m not sure that persuades anyone of anything – it just makes Trump uncomfortable. Our documentary gives people a social object to share, implying: ‘There’s something really serious to examine here.’ It was an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was seen by millions.”
The Reveal
The film began with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto a cylindrical building requires some technical calibration,” Stewart states. “First appeared the royal coat of arms. Officers are thinking: ‘Ah, that’s nice – the royal family,’ and then abruptly a great big picture of Jeffrey Epstein materializes. This electric jolt goes through the police in fluorescent jackets nearby, and they all pile into the hotel.”
A History of Activism
It wasn't the group’s first rodeo; nor was it their first effort against Trump. Back in 2018, while working for Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a motorized paraglider over the hotel where the then-president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. The following year, police visited him that any repeat, they couldn’t guarantee.
The Arrests
However, the group's creators were not especially worried about arrest. “My nervous energy goes into wanting the action to succeed,” notes Oliver Knowles, another co-founder. “By the time the police make the intervention, the die is cast.” The police response was swift, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, “really pumped up”, Knowles recalls. “Wearing jumpsuits and baseball caps. They had located some protesters. They charged up the stairs; they were briefed; tasked to safeguard the guest. Fortunately, no firearms. But they were very adrenalised upon entering the room. I had to say: ‘Let’s keep this calm.’”
Stalling multiple police officers for six minutes. It helped that they didn’t know under what law to make arrests. When they finally entered the room, “one officer began reciting a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, before another told him to stop as it was incorrect.” Knowles and three additional team members were then arrested for malicious communications, a law related to harassment. “and it’s very specific: it’s designed to deal with a serious offence. To throw it at an act of journalism, displayed on a wall, in defense of the reputation of the president, seemed contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart says archly. While the others were detained, he slipped away, shortly thereafter was on a train out of Windsor, contacting legal counsel.
A Second Arrest and Questioning
Later that night, as the detainees were in the cells at Maidenhead police station, officers came in and arrested them again, now for public nuisance, having decided more likely to succeed. When they came to be questioned, the sole available interrogators were from the child protection unit – an irony that was not lost on anyone, given the focus of the protest involved alleged sex offender. The activists just answered all queries with: “I have no comment.” A few minutes into the interview, police presented a photograph: “They asked, did you take the drawer from this bedside table?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Sir, do you know anyone who may have had reason to remove the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated what was coming: an image of a giant projector, secured to several drawers. At that point, the detectives were finding it hard to maintain their composure.”
The Outcome
A little more than a month later, all charges was dismissed.
