The Aftermath: The Evening Led By Donkeys Projected Images of Trump and Epstein on to Windsor Castle

When the announcement was made for Donald Trump’s second state visit, including a Windsor Castle banquet on 17 September 2025, the activist collective known as Led By Donkeys felt compelled not to let it pass without a statement. The gesture of offering a lavish welcome was viewed as particularly craven. Their subsequent creative protest proceeded like clockwork.

A Deliberate Message

The group produced a nine-minute film exploring Donald Trump’s relationship with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “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 documents related to the criminal probe into Epstein … Now that very man, Donald Trump, is sleeping here in Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump maintains he fell out with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s first arrest and repeatedly refuted all allegations in relation to Epstein.)

The Setup

The activists had booked 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. They utilized a powerful projector. To broadcast sound, Stewart positioned a wireless speaker, concealed within a box of cereal, on top of a public rubbish bin outside.

International press had gathered, staring at the castle, becoming bored awaiting Trump's arrival. The film, however, gained traction globally. “While the still pictures of Epstein and Trump spread like wildfire online,” Stewart says, “I doubt that convinces people of anything – it simply makes Trump uncomfortable. The film we made provides viewers a social object to share, saying: ‘There’s something really serious to examine here.’ We took an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was seen 20m times.”

The Reveal

The film began with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto the castle's round tower requires some technical calibration,” Stewart explains. “First appeared the royal coat of arms. The police likely thought: ‘Ah, that’s nice – a royal tribute,’ and then abruptly a great big picture of Jeffrey Epstein materializes. A wave of shock goes 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; it wasn’t even their first action against Trump. Back in 2018, during his time with Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a motorized paraglider near the resort where the president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. A year later, officers warned him that any repeat, they couldn’t guarantee.

The Arrests

However, the activists were not overly concerned about detainment. “All my anxiety goes into wanting the protest works,” says Oliver Knowles, another co-founder. “By the time the police arrive, the die is cast.” Officers was rapid, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, “really pumped up”, he remembers. “Wearing tactical gear and caps. They’d finally found some protesters. They charged up the stairs; they were briefed; tasked to safeguard the guest. Fortunately, no guns. But they were extremely tense when they entered the room. I told them: ‘Let’s keep this calm.’”

Delaying multiple police officers for six minutes. It helped that officers didn’t know which law to make arrests. When they finally entered the room, “one officer began reciting a section of the Town and Country Planning Act, before another told him to stop as it was incorrect.” Knowles and three other team members were then arrested for malicious communications, a stalking law. “The law is precise: it’s designed to address a really concerning offence. Applying it to an act of journalism, displayed on a wall, to protect the reputation of the president, appeared against the spirit of the legislation,” Stewart remarks pointedly. As his colleagues were arrested, he melted into the crowd, then soon after boarded a train out of Windsor, calling lawyers.

A Second Arrest and Questioning

Later in the middle of the night, as the detainees were in the cells at Maidenhead police station, police re-entered and re-arrested them, now for causing a public nuisance, deeming it a stronger charge. During interrogation, the only officers available belonged to the child protection unit – a twist that was palpable, given the focus of the protest involved Jeffrey Epstein. The activists just answered all queries with: “No comment.” Shortly after starting the interview, police presented a photograph: “They asked, did you remove 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 knew what was coming: an image of a large projector, ratchet-strapped to several drawers. Then, the officers were finding it hard to maintain their composure.”

The Outcome

Just over one month later, all charges was dismissed.