The Unfolding Events: The Evening The Activist Group Projected Images of Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle

When plans were revealed for the former president's upcoming official trip, including a royal dinner at Windsor on 17 September 2025, the protest group known as Led By Donkeys was determined not to let it pass unprotested. The act of rolling out the red carpet was viewed as particularly craven. Their next creative protest proceeded with precision.

A Deliberate Message

The group produced a short documentary exploring Donald Trump’s relationship with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. It concluded: “The commander-in-chief of the United States was a longstanding associate of the nation's most infamous sex offender. His name is said to be referenced, repeatedly, in the files related to the investigation into Epstein … And now that president, Donald Trump, is sleeping here in Windsor Castle.” (In response, Trump maintains he ended his friendship with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s initial legal troubles and repeatedly refuted all allegations in relation to Epstein.)

Preparations and Execution

The group had booked rooms in the adjacent Harte and Garter hotel, rooms advertised with views of the castle and, more crucially, “castle view superior”, said group founder, Ben Stewart. They utilized a powerful 32,000-lumen projector. To broadcast sound, Stewart placed a wireless speaker, concealed within a box of cereal, atop a public rubbish bin outside.

International press was assembled, their gaze fixed at the castle, growing restless awaiting Trump's arrival. Their film, gained traction globally. “Although the still pictures of Epstein and Trump went viral 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, 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 Reveal

It started with the official Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto the castle's round tower requires a little bit of mapping,” Stewart states. “First appeared the royal coat of arms. The police are thinking: ‘How pleasant – the royal family,’ and suddenly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein appears. A wave of shock passed through the officers around me, and the police all pile into the hotel.”

A History of Activism

It wasn't their inaugural action; nor was it their first action targeting Trump. Back in 2018, while working for Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a motorized 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 group's creators weren't overly concerned about detainment. “All my anxiety goes into ensuring the action to succeed,” notes Oliver Knowles, a fellow founder. “By the time the police arrive, the die is cast.” Officers was swift, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, “really pumped up”, Knowles recalls. “They were in tactical gear and caps. They had located some protesters. They came roaring up the stairs; they were briefed; tasked to protect the president. Fortunately, no guns. But they were very adrenalised when they entered the room. I had to say: ‘Let’s keep this really calm.’”

Delaying multiple 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, “a policeman began reciting a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, which another officer asked him to stop because it wasn’t right.” Knowles and three additional activists were subsequently detained for malicious communication, a law related to harassment. “and it’s very specific: it’s designed to deal with a serious offence. Applying it to a piece of journalism, projected on to a wall, in defense of the reputation of the president, seemed against the spirit of the legislation,” Stewart remarks pointedly. While the others were detained, he melted into the crowd, shortly thereafter boarded a train leaving Windsor, contacting legal counsel.

A Second Arrest and Questioning

Later in the middle of the night, as the detainees sat in cells at Maidenhead police station, police re-entered and re-arrested them, now for causing a public nuisance, deeming it more likely to succeed. During interrogation, the only officers available were from the child protection squad – a twist that was palpable, given the focus of the protest involved alleged sex offender. Knowles and his associates just answered all queries with: “No comment.” A few minutes into the interview, the officers slid over a photo: “‘Mr Knowles, did you remove 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 four drawers. At that point, the officers were finding it hard to maintain their composure.”

The Outcome

A little more than a month later, every charge was dismissed.