What Happened Next: The Night Led By Donkeys Projected Images of Trump and Epstein on to Windsor Castle
When the announcement was made for Donald Trump’s upcoming official trip, including a Windsor Castle banquet on 17 September 2025, the activist collective known as Led By Donkeys was determined not to let it pass unprotested. The gesture of rolling out the red carpet was viewed as particularly craven. Their next art-activist event proceeded with precision.
A Provocative Film
Activists created a short documentary exploring the connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “The commander-in-chief of the United States is alleged to have been a longstanding associate of America’s most notorious child sex trafficker. His name is said to be mentioned, repeatedly, in documents related to the criminal probe into Epstein … Now that president, Donald Trump, is a guest within Windsor Castle.” (In response, Trump maintains he fell out with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s initial legal troubles and repeatedly refuted any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.)
The Setup
The activists had booked rooms in the adjacent Harte and Garter hotel, which boast views of the castle and, even more helpfully, “castle view superior”, according to group founder, Ben Stewart. They utilized a high-lumen projector. To broadcast sound, Stewart positioned a Bluetooth speaker, concealed inside a cereal box, atop a garbage can outside.
The world’s media had gathered, staring at the castle, becoming bored as Trump was delayed. The film, however, gained traction globally. “Although photographs of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart says, “I’m not sure that convinces people of anything – it just makes Trump uneasy. Our documentary gives people a social object to share, implying: ‘There’s something significant to look at here.’ It was a piece of guerrilla journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was seen by millions.”
The Moment of Projection
It started with the official Windsor Castle logo. “It requires the castle's round tower requires a little bit of mapping,” Stewart states. “So there’s this royal crest. Officers likely thought: ‘Ah, that’s nice – a royal tribute,’ and suddenly a great big picture of Jeffrey Epstein appears. A wave of shock goes through the officers nearby, and the police raced into the hotel.”
Not Their First Protest
It wasn't the group’s first rodeo; nor was it their first effort targeting Trump. Back in 2018, while working for Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a paraglider near the resort where the then-president was staying in Scotland. A year later, officers warned him that any repeat, his safety wasn't assured.
The Arrests
But, the activists weren't especially worried about arrest. “All my anxiety goes into ensuring the protest works,” notes Oliver Knowles, another co-founder. “By the time the police arrive, the message is already out.” The police response was swift, arriving in the lobby within three minutes, “really pumped up”, he remembers. “Wearing tactical gear and 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 when they entered the room. I had to say: ‘We should keep this really calm.’”
Delaying multiple police officers for six minutes. The fact that officers were unsure under what law to make arrests. Upon finally entering the room, “a policeman began reciting a section of the Town and Country Planning Act, which another officer told him to stop because it wasn’t right.” Knowles and three other team members were then arrested for malicious communications, a law related to harassment. “and it’s very specific: it’s designed to deal with a serious offence. To throw it at a piece of journalism, projected on to a wall, in defense of 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, shortly thereafter was on a train out of Windsor, contacting legal counsel.
An Ironic Interrogation
Some time that night, as the detainees sat in cells at Maidenhead police station, police re-entered and re-arrested them, this time for public nuisance, having decided a stronger charge. When they came to be questioned, the sole available interrogators belonged to the child protection squad – an irony that was palpable, given the focus of the protest concerned Jeffrey Epstein. Knowles and his associates just answered every question with: “No comment.” A few minutes into the interview, police presented a photograph: “‘Mr Knowles, did you remove the drawer from this bedside table?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Mr Knowles, do you know anybody else who may have had reason to remove the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated the next move: an image of a giant projector, secured to several drawers. Then, the detectives struggled to keep a straight face.”
The Outcome
Just over one month later, all charges were dropped.
