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

When plans were revealed for the former president's upcoming official trip, 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 seemed particularly craven. Their next creative protest proceeded with precision.

A Provocative Film

Activists created a nine-minute film exploring the connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “The president of the United States is alleged to have been a longstanding associate of America’s most notorious sex offender. He’s alleged to be referenced, numerous times, in the files from the criminal probe into that individual … And now that very man, Donald Trump, is sleeping here within Windsor Castle.” (In response, Trump maintains he ended his friendship with Epstein years before Epstein’s first arrest and repeatedly refuted all allegations concerning Epstein.)

The Setup

The activists had secured rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, which boast “castle view” and, more crucially, superior castle views, according to group founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a powerful projector. For audio, Stewart placed a wireless speaker, hidden within a box of cereal, on top of a public rubbish bin outside.

International press had gathered, their gaze fixed at the castle, growing restless as Trump was delayed. The film, however, gained traction globally. “While the still pictures of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart notes, “I doubt that persuades anyone of anything – it just makes Trump uncomfortable. Our documentary gives people a social object to share, implying: ‘This is something really serious to examine here.’ We took a piece of guerrilla journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was seen 20m times.”

The Reveal

It started with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “It requires the castle's round tower needs some technical calibration,” Stewart states. “So there’s this royal crest. The police likely thought: ‘How pleasant – a royal tribute,’ and then abruptly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein appears. This electric jolt goes through the police in fluorescent jackets around me, and they all pile into the hotel.”

A History of Activism

This was not the group’s first rodeo; nor was it their first effort targeting Trump. Back in 2018, during his time with Greenpeace, Stewart had flown a motorized paraglider near the hotel where the then-president was staying in Scotland. A year later, officers warned him that if he tried again, his safety wasn't assured.

Confrontation with Police

But, the activists weren't overly concerned about detainment. “All my anxiety goes into ensuring the protest works,” notes Oliver Knowles, another co-founder. “By the time the police arrive, the message is already out.” Officers was rapid, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, highly agitated, Knowles recalls. “Wearing tactical gear and caps. They had located the culprits. They came roaring up the stairs; prepared; they were on a mission to safeguard the guest. Fortunately, no firearms. But they were very adrenalised when they entered the room. I told them: ‘We should keep this really calm.’”

Stalling multiple police officers is a long time. The fact that they didn’t know under what law to charge anyone. Upon finally entering the room, “a policeman started reading a section 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: its purpose is to deal with a serious offence. To throw it at a piece of journalism, displayed on a wall, in defense of the reputation of the president, appeared contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart says archly. While the others were detained, he slipped away, then soon after boarded a train leaving Windsor, contacting legal counsel.

A Second Arrest and Questioning

Some time 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, deeming it a stronger charge. When they came to be questioned, the sole available interrogators were from the child protection squad – a twist which was not lost on anyone, given the subject matter of the protest involved alleged sex offender. The activists responded to all queries with: “No comment.” A few minutes into the interview, police presented a photograph: “‘Mr Knowles, did you remove the drawer from this bedside table?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Mr Knowles, do you know anybody else who may have had cause to take the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated the next move: a picture of a large projector, secured to several drawers. Then, the detectives were finding it hard to maintain their composure.”

The Final Result

Just over one month later, every charge was dismissed.