The Unfolding Events: The Night The Activist Group Projected Pictures Featuring Trump and Epstein on to Windsor Castle

When plans were revealed for Donald Trump’s second state visit, including a royal dinner at Windsor on 17 September 2025, the activist collective known as Led By Donkeys felt compelled to ensure it did not go unprotested. The gesture of offering a lavish welcome was viewed as particularly craven. Their subsequent art-activist event unfolded with precision.

A Provocative Film

The group produced a nine-minute film detailing Donald Trump’s relationship with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. It concluded: “The commander-in-chief of the United States is alleged to have been a long-time close friend of the nation's most infamous sex offender. His name is said to be mentioned, repeatedly, in documents from the criminal probe into that individual … And now that very man, Donald Trump, is a guest within Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump maintains he fell out with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s first arrest and has consistently denied all allegations in relation to Epstein.)

Preparations and Execution

The group had secured rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, which boast “castle view” and, even more helpfully, “castle view superior”, said group founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a high-lumen projector. To broadcast sound, 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, growing restless as Trump was delayed. Their film, gained traction globally. “Although photographs of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart says, “I’m not sure that convinces people of anything – it simply makes Trump uneasy. Our documentary provides viewers a social object to share, implying: ‘There’s something significant to examine here.’ It was an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was viewed 20m times.”

The Moment of Projection

It started with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto the castle's round tower needs a little bit of mapping,” Stewart explains. “First appeared this royal crest. The police are thinking: ‘Ah, that’s nice – a royal tribute,’ and then abruptly a great big picture of Jeffrey Epstein appears. This electric jolt passed through the officers around me, and the police all pile into the hotel.”

Not Their First Protest

This was not their inaugural action; it wasn’t even their first action against Trump. Back in 2018, while working for Greenpeace, Stewart had flown a paraglider near the resort where the then-president was staying in Scotland. The following year, officers warned him that any repeat, his safety wasn't assured.

The Arrests

But, the activists weren't especially worried about detainment. “All my anxiety goes into wanting the protest works,” says Oliver Knowles, a fellow founder. “By the time the police arrive, the message is already out.” The police response was swift, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, highly agitated, he remembers. “Wearing tactical gear and caps. They’d finally found the culprits. They came roaring up the stairs; prepared; tasked to safeguard the guest. Thankfully, no firearms. But they were extremely tense upon entering the room. I had to say: ‘We should keep this calm.’”

Stalling a large number of police officers for six minutes. It helped that they didn’t know under what law to make arrests. Upon finally entering the room, “one officer started reading a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, before another asked him to stop because it wasn’t right.” Knowles and three other team members were then arrested for malicious communication, a law related to harassment. “and it’s very specific: it’s designed to address a really concerning offence. To throw it at an act of journalism, displayed on a wall, to protect the reputation of the president, appeared contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart says archly. As his colleagues were arrested, he melted into the crowd, shortly thereafter was on a train out of Windsor, calling lawyers.

An Ironic Interrogation

Later in the middle of the night, as the detainees sat in cells at Maidenhead police station, officers came in and re-arrested them, this time for public nuisance, deeming it more likely to succeed. During interrogation, the sole available interrogators were from the child protection unit – a twist which was palpable, given the focus of the protest concerned alleged sex offender. Knowles and his associates just answered all queries with: “No comment.” Shortly after starting the interview, the officers slid over a photograph: “They asked, did you take the drawer from this bedside table?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Mr Knowles, do you know anyone who may have had reason to remove the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated the next move: a picture of a large projector, secured to several drawers. Then, the officers struggled to keep a straight face.”

The Final Result

Just over one month later, every charge was dismissed.