The Aftermath: The Night Led By Donkeys Projected Images of Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle

When plans were revealed for Donald Trump’s second state visit, including a royal dinner at Windsor on September 17th, 2025, the protest group known as Led By Donkeys was determined to ensure it did not go unprotested. The gesture of rolling out the red carpet was viewed as particularly craven. Their subsequent art-activist event proceeded with precision.

A Provocative Film

The group produced a short documentary detailing the connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. It concluded: “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, repeatedly, in the files related to the criminal probe into Epstein … And now that president, Donald Trump, is sleeping here in Windsor Castle.” (In response, Trump maintains 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 group had secured rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, rooms advertised with views of the castle and, even more helpfully, “castle view superior”, according to a co-founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a high-lumen projector. To broadcast sound, Stewart positioned a wireless speaker, hidden 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, spread rapidly globally. “Although photographs of Epstein and Trump spread like wildfire online,” Stewart notes, “I’m not sure that persuades anyone of anything – it simply makes Trump uncomfortable. The film we made provides viewers a social object to share, implying: ‘This is something really serious to examine here.’ It was an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was seen by millions.”

The Reveal

The film began with the recognizable Windsor Castle logo. “It requires the castle's round tower needs some technical calibration,” Stewart explains. “So there’s this royal crest. The police are thinking: ‘Ah, that’s nice – the royal family,’ and then abruptly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein appears. This electric jolt passed through the officers around me, and the police raced into the hotel.”

Not Their First Protest

This was not their inaugural action; it wasn’t even their first action against Trump. In 2018, during his time with Greenpeace, Stewart had flown a paraglider over the resort where the then-president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. The following year, police visited him that any repeat, his safety wasn't assured.

Confrontation with Police

However, the activists weren't especially worried about arrest. “All my anxiety goes into ensuring the action to succeed,” says Oliver Knowles, a fellow founder. “By the time the police arrive, the message is already out.” Officers was swift, arriving in the lobby within three minutes, “really pumped up”, Knowles recalls. “They were in 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. Thankfully, no guns. But they were extremely tense when they entered the room. I had to say: ‘Let’s keep this really calm.’”

Delaying multiple police officers is a long time. The fact that they were unsure under what law to charge anyone. Upon finally entering the room, “one officer 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 activists were subsequently detained for malicious communications, a law related to harassment. “The law is precise: it’s designed to address a serious offence. Applying it to an act of journalism, displayed on a wall, to protect the reputation of the president, seemed contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart remarks pointedly. As his colleagues were arrested, he melted into the crowd, shortly thereafter was on a train leaving Windsor, calling lawyers.

A Second Arrest and Questioning

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 only officers available were from the child protection unit – a twist that was palpable, given the focus of the protest concerned alleged sex offender. Knowles and his associates responded to all queries with: “I have no comment.” A few minutes into the interview, the officers slid over a photo: “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 the next move: a picture of a large projector, ratchet-strapped to four drawers. At that point, the detectives struggled to maintain their composure.”

The Outcome

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