The Aftermath: The Evening Led By Donkeys Beamed Images of Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle

When the announcement was made for the former president's upcoming official trip, complete with a royal dinner at Windsor on September 17th, 2025, the protest group known as Led By Donkeys felt compelled to ensure it did not go unprotested. The act of rolling out the red carpet seemed particularly craven. Their next creative protest 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 is alleged to have been a long-time close friend of the nation's most infamous child sex trafficker. He’s alleged to be referenced, repeatedly, in the files from the criminal probe into Epstein … And now that very man, Donald Trump, is sleeping here in Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump has stated he ended his friendship with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s first arrest and has consistently denied all allegations in relation to Epstein.)

The Setup

The group had secured rooms in the adjacent Harte and Garter hotel, which boast “castle view” and, more crucially, “castle view superior”, said group founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a high-lumen projector. For audio, Stewart positioned a Bluetooth speaker, concealed inside a cereal box, atop a public rubbish bin outside.

International press had gathered, staring at the castle, growing restless awaiting Trump's arrival. The film, however, gained traction globally. “Although photographs of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart says, “I doubt that persuades anyone of anything – it simply makes Trump uncomfortable. The film we made gives people a social object to share, saying: ‘This is something really serious to look at here.’ It was a piece of guerrilla journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was viewed by millions.”

The Reveal

It started with the official Windsor Castle logo. “It requires a cylindrical building requires some technical calibration,” Stewart states. “First appeared the royal coat of arms. The police are thinking: ‘Ah, that’s nice – the royal family,’ and then abruptly a great big picture of Jeffrey Epstein materializes. This electric jolt passed through the officers nearby, and the police all pile into the hotel.”

Not Their First Protest

It wasn't their inaugural action; nor was it their first effort targeting Trump. In 2018, during his time with Greenpeace, Stewart had flown a motorized paraglider over the resort where the president was staying in Scotland. The following year, officers warned him that any repeat, they couldn’t guarantee.

The Arrests

But, the group's creators weren't especially worried about detainment. “My nervous energy goes into wanting the action to succeed,” notes Oliver Knowles, a fellow founder. “By the time the police arrive, the message is already out.” The police response was rapid, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, “really pumped up”, he remembers. “Wearing tactical gear and baseball caps. They had located some protesters. They came roaring up the stairs; prepared; they were on a mission to protect the president. Fortunately, no firearms. But they were extremely tense upon entering the room. I had to say: ‘We should keep this really calm.’”

Stalling a large number of police officers is a long time. It helped that officers were unsure under what law to charge anyone. Upon finally entering the room, “one officer began reciting a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, before another asked him to stop as it was incorrect.” Knowles and three additional activists were subsequently detained for malicious communication, a stalking law. “and it’s very specific: it’s designed to address a serious offence. Applying it to a piece of journalism, displayed on a wall, to protect the reputation of the president, seemed contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart says archly. 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

Some time that night, as the detainees sat in cells at Maidenhead police station, police re-entered and arrested them again, this time for public nuisance, deeming it more likely to succeed. When they came to be questioned, the sole available interrogators belonged to the child protection unit – a twist which was palpable, given the focus of the protest concerned alleged sex offender. The activists just answered all queries with: “I have no comment.” A few minutes into the interview, police presented a photo: “They asked, did you take the drawer from this bedside table?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Sir, do you know anyone who may have had cause to take the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I knew the next move: an image of a giant projector, secured to four drawers. At that point, the officers were finding it hard to keep a straight face.”

The Outcome

Just over one month later, all charges were dropped.