What Happened Next: The Evening The Activist Group Projected Images of Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle
When plans were revealed for Donald Trump’s upcoming official trip, including a Windsor Castle banquet on 17 September 2025, the activist collective Led By Donkeys felt compelled to ensure it did not go without a statement. The act of offering a lavish welcome was viewed as particularly craven. Their next art-activist event unfolded like clockwork.
A Deliberate Message
The group produced a nine-minute film detailing the connections with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. It concluded: “The president of the United States was a long-time close friend of the nation's most infamous sex offender. His name is said to be referenced, repeatedly, in the files from the criminal probe into that individual … Now that very man, Donald Trump, is sleeping here in Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump has stated he fell out with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s initial legal troubles and has consistently denied any wrongdoing concerning Epstein.)
Preparations and Execution
The group had secured rooms in the adjacent Harte and Garter hotel, rooms advertised with views of the castle and, more crucially, “castle view superior”, 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.
The world’s media had gathered, their gaze fixed at the castle, becoming bored as Trump was delayed. The film, however, spread rapidly globally. “Although the still pictures of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart says, “I doubt that convinces people of anything – it just makes Trump uncomfortable. Our documentary gives people something tangible to share, saying: ‘This is something significant to look at here.’ It was an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was seen 20m times.”
The Moment of Projection
It started with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto the castle's round tower needs some technical calibration,” Stewart explains. “So there’s the royal coat of arms. Officers likely thought: ‘How pleasant – the royal family,’ and then abruptly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein appears. A wave of shock passed through the officers nearby, and the police raced into the hotel.”
Not Their First Protest
This was not their inaugural action; it wasn’t even their first effort targeting Trump. In 2018, while working for Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a paraglider over the hotel where the then-president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. The following year, officers warned him that if he tried again, they couldn’t guarantee.
Confrontation with Police
But, the activists weren't especially worried about detainment. “My nervous energy is channelled into ensuring the protest works,” says Oliver Knowles, a fellow founder. “By the time the police arrive, the die is cast.” The police response was rapid, arriving in the lobby in under three minutes, “really pumped up”, he remembers. “They were in jumpsuits and baseball caps. They had located the culprits. They came roaring up the stairs; they were briefed; tasked to safeguard the guest. Fortunately, no firearms. But they were extremely tense when they entered the room. I told them: ‘Let’s keep this really calm.’”
Delaying multiple police officers for six minutes. It helped that they were unsure which law to charge anyone. Upon finally entering the room, “one officer started reading a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, before another told him to stop as it was incorrect.” Knowles and three other activists were then arrested for malicious communication, a stalking law. “and it’s very specific: its purpose is to deal with a serious offence. Applying it to an act of journalism, displayed on a wall, in defense of the reputation of the president, appeared contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart remarks pointedly. As his colleagues were arrested, he melted into the crowd, shortly thereafter boarded a train out of Windsor, calling lawyers.
An Ironic Interrogation
Later that night, as the detainees were in the cells at Maidenhead police station, officers came in and re-arrested them, now for causing a public nuisance, having decided a stronger charge. When they came to be questioned, the sole available interrogators were from the child protection squad – an irony that was palpable, given the focus of the protest involved alleged sex offender. Knowles and his associates responded to all queries with: “I have no comment.” Shortly after starting the interview, police presented a photograph: “‘Mr Knowles, did you remove the drawer from this nightstand?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Sir, do you know anybody else who may have had cause to take the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated what was coming: an image of a giant projector, ratchet-strapped to four drawers. Then, the officers struggled to keep a straight face.”
The Outcome
A little more than one month later, all charges were dropped.
