The Aftermath: The Night Led By Donkeys Beamed Pictures Featuring Trump and Epstein onto Windsor Castle
When plans were revealed for the former president's second state visit, complete with a royal dinner at Windsor on September 17th, 2025, the activist collective known as Led By Donkeys felt compelled not to let it pass without a statement. The act of rolling out the red carpet seemed particularly craven. Their next art-activist event proceeded with precision.
A Provocative Film
The group produced a short documentary exploring Donald Trump’s relationship with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “The president of the United States is alleged to have been a longstanding associate 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 … And now that president, Donald Trump, is a guest within Windsor Castle.” (In response, Trump maintains he fell out with Epstein years before Epstein’s initial legal troubles and repeatedly refuted any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.)
Preparations and Execution
The group had secured rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, which boast “castle view” and, more crucially, superior castle views, said a co-founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a high-lumen projector. For audio, Stewart placed a Bluetooth speaker, hidden within a box of cereal, on top of a public rubbish bin outside.
International press was assembled, their gaze fixed at the castle, growing restless as Trump was delayed. Their film, gained traction everywhere. “Although photographs 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 gives people something tangible to share, implying: ‘This is something significant to examine here.’ It was an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was viewed by millions.”
The Reveal
It started with the official Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto a cylindrical building requires some technical calibration,” Stewart states. “First appeared this royal crest. Officers are thinking: ‘Ah, that’s nice – the royal family,’ and then abruptly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein materializes. A wave of shock passed through the officers nearby, and the police all pile into the hotel.”
Not Their First Protest
This was not their inaugural action; nor was it their first action against Trump. Back in 2018, during his time with Greenpeace, Stewart piloted a paraglider near the hotel where the then-president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. A year later, officers warned him that any repeat, they couldn’t guarantee.
Confrontation with Police
But, the activists weren't especially worried about arrest. “All my anxiety goes into wanting the protest works,” says Oliver Knowles, another co-founder. “By the time the police make the intervention, the message is already out.” The police response was rapid, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, highly agitated, he remembers. “They were in tactical gear and caps. They’d finally found some protesters. They came roaring up the stairs; prepared; they were on a mission to protect the president. Fortunately, no firearms. But they were very adrenalised when they entered the room. I had to say: ‘We should keep this calm.’”
Stalling multiple police officers for six minutes. It helped that they didn’t know under what law to make arrests. Upon finally entering the room, “a policeman began reciting a clause of the Town and Country Planning Act, which another officer asked him to stop as it was incorrect.” Knowles and three other activists were then arrested for malicious communications, a stalking law. “and it’s very specific: its purpose is to address a serious offence. Applying it to an act of journalism, projected on to a wall, to protect the reputation of the president, appeared against the spirit of the legislation,” Stewart remarks pointedly. While the others were detained, he melted into the crowd, shortly thereafter was on a train out of Windsor, contacting legal counsel.
An Ironic Interrogation
Later in the middle of the night, while the activists were in the cells at Maidenhead police station, police re-entered and arrested them again, this time for causing a public nuisance, having decided a stronger charge. During interrogation, the sole available interrogators belonged to the child protection squad – a twist that was palpable, given the subject matter of the protest concerned alleged sex offender. Knowles and his associates responded to every question with: “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.’ ‘Mr Knowles, 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, ratchet-strapped to four drawers. At that point, the detectives were finding it hard to maintain their composure.”
The Final Result
A little more than a month later, every charge were dropped.