The Aftermath: The Night The Activist Group Projected Pictures Featuring Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle

When plans were revealed for the former president's second state visit, complete with a royal dinner at Windsor on September 17th, 2025, the activist collective known as Led By Donkeys felt compelled not to let it pass unprotested. The act of offering a lavish welcome seemed particularly craven. Their next art-activist event unfolded like clockwork.

A Deliberate Message

Activists created a nine-minute film exploring Donald Trump’s relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “The commander-in-chief of the United States was a longstanding associate of the nation's most infamous sex offender. He’s alleged to be mentioned, numerous times, in documents related to the investigation into Epstein … And now that very man, Donald Trump, is sleeping here within Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump has stated he ended his friendship with Epstein years before Epstein’s initial legal troubles and has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.)

Preparations and Execution

The activists had secured rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, rooms advertised with views of the castle and, more crucially, superior castle views, said a co-founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a high-lumen 32,000-lumen projector. For audio, Stewart positioned a wireless speaker, hidden within a box of cereal, atop a public rubbish bin outside.

The world’s media was assembled, their gaze fixed at the castle, becoming bored as Trump was delayed. Their film, gained traction everywhere. “Although the still pictures of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart notes, “I doubt that convinces people of anything – it simply makes Trump uneasy. Our documentary gives people a social object to share, saying: ‘There’s something really serious to look at here.’ It was a piece of guerrilla journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was viewed 20m times.”

The Moment of Projection

It started with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “It requires the castle's round tower requires a little bit of mapping,” Stewart states. “First appeared this royal crest. Officers likely thought: ‘Ah, that’s nice – a royal tribute,’ and then abruptly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein appears. A wave of shock passed through the police in fluorescent jackets nearby, and the police all pile into the hotel.”

A History of Activism

This was not their inaugural action; nor was it their first effort against Trump. Back in 2018, during his time with Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a motorized paraglider over the hotel where the president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. The following year, police visited him that if he tried again, his safety wasn't assured.

Confrontation with Police

However, the activists were not overly concerned about detainment. “All my anxiety goes into ensuring the action to succeed,” says Oliver Knowles, a fellow founder. “Once the police arrive, the message is already out.” The police response was rapid, arriving in the lobby within three minutes, “really pumped up”, he remembers. “They were in jumpsuits and caps. They had located some protesters. They charged up the stairs; they were briefed; tasked to protect the president. Thankfully, no firearms. But they were very adrenalised when they entered the room. I told them: ‘We should keep this really calm.’”

Delaying a large number of police officers is a long time. It helped that they didn’t know under what law to charge anyone. When they finally entered the room, “one officer started reading a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, which another officer told him to stop because it wasn’t right.” Knowles and three other activists were subsequently detained for malicious communication, a law related to harassment. “and it’s very specific: it’s designed to deal with a really concerning offence. Applying it to a piece of journalism, displayed on a wall, in defense of the reputation of the president, appeared against the spirit of the legislation,” Stewart says archly. While the others were detained, he slipped away, shortly thereafter boarded a train leaving Windsor, calling lawyers.

A Second Arrest and Questioning

Later that night, while the activists sat in cells at Maidenhead police station, officers came in and arrested them again, this time for causing a public nuisance, having decided a stronger charge. During interrogation, the only officers available belonged to the child protection squad – a twist which was palpable, given the focus of the protest concerned Jeffrey Epstein. The activists just answered all queries with: “No comment.” Shortly after starting the interview, the officers slid over a photo: “‘Mr Knowles, did you remove the drawer from this nightstand?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Sir, do you know anyone who may have had cause to take the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated what was coming: a picture of a large projector, ratchet-strapped to several drawers. At that point, the detectives were finding it hard to maintain their composure.”

The Outcome

Just over one month later, every charge were dropped.