Four arrested after images of Trump and Epstein projected on to Windsor Castle ahead of president's visit

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Four people have been arrested after images of Donald Trump alongside deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected on to Windsor Castle, where the US president is set to be hosted by King Charles during his state visit to Britain.

Trump arrived in Britain late on Tuesday for an unprecedented second state visit, and will be greeted by Charles on Wednesday for a day of pomp at Windsor Castle, about 25 miles west of London.

Earlier on Tuesday, protesters unfurled a massive banner featuring a photograph of Trump and Epstein near Windsor Castle, and later projected several images of the two on to one of the castle’s towers.

The police said in a statement four adults were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications after an “unauthorised projection” at Windsor Castle, which they described as a “public stunt”. The four remain in custody.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/four-arrested-after-image-of-trump-and-epstein-projected-onto-windsor-castle-ahead-of-presidents-visit

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Notice they've been kept in custody overnight - this was not just "arrest them so they can turn off the projector". "Malicious communications" is normally used for harassment, intimidation and so on - eg a police document lists it under "Threats and intimidation" and "Psychological abuse".

Somehow, when Trump turns up, everyone becomes authoritarian.

[MrWowWow]

1. Incredible-We Need This Capability for No Kings Day

Definitely Seattle will be on this. Nighttime projection is always tricky.

[raccoon]

2. Can Charles pardon them?

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. The government does pardons, not the monarch

although they are "in the monarch's name". The last monarch to try a pardon on his own was George IV (reigned 1820-1830), according to Wikipedia, referencing a House of Commons note:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_prerogative_of_mercy

Not since the 19th century has the monarch attempted to exercise this
prerogative personally. King George IV wished to influence the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland in exercising the prerogative of mercy in relation to a
death sentence for an inhabitant of Clare who had burned his own house
down. When Sir Robert Peel, the then Home Secretary, threatened
resignation, the King gave way. Cases of persons sentenced to death at the
Old Bailey were once considered by the monarch at a meeting of the Privy
Council. George IV often advocated mercy until over-ruled by his advisers.

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9877/CBP-9877.pdf

And the current government, though Labour, are trying to "look tough" - there's no chance they'd let anyone off if they were convicted.

[Irish_Dem]

5. No. He is head of state only. Has little formal legal power.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Telling the truth about criminals is harassment and abuse?

[popsdenver]

20. "Malicious Communications" ?????????????????????

Wow, there is a new Crime...........

I am sure that Trump will be quick to pick up on that and institute it here in America.

Trump has most certainly already sent that phrase, "Malicious Communications," to his CABAL .....especially Patel and Bondi, and we will soon be installing it as a Federal Felony here in America. He has already been doing it, going after everyone who is outspoken about him and his fascist tyranny, but now has a catchy name for the charges against anyone that speaks out against him or his administration.......The Republicans in the Senate and House, along with the Republicans Justices in the U.S. Supreme Court will jump right on it to back him up......

The Brit's are apparently hedging their bets also, by honoring him.......... Guess Trump has them all frightened, just as he has done with so many other people and nations........

[Irish_Dem]

23. Everyone seems to fall in line to ass kiss our Dear Leader.

Amazing and disgusting.

[muriel_volestrangler]

27. Behold the Monster the Frankensteinian United States created (nt)

[Irish_Dem]

28. And everyone acts shocked when Frankenstein turns on them.

[MadameButterfly]

31. The irony of accusing anyone of harassment and abuse

AGAINST Trump....

they do get it don't they? until Trump stops his harrassment and abuse we have a duty to do the same back.
I wish the Brits wouldn't give Trump the impression that they think it's an arrestable offence.

[Irish_Dem]

33. Psychopaths usually blame others of the crimes they themselves are committing.

It is classic.
So many people fall for it.

I hope the Brits let these guys go asap when the Orange F wad leaves.

[perdita9]

6. Thank you, UK heroes!

It's the people who are showing courage in standing up to a wannabe dictator. The media, the courts and conservatives are actively and passively destroying our democracy for profit or out of cowardice.

[Alice B.]

7. Bravo!

[otchmoson]

8. How about a medal

Isn't there a royal medal that could be bestowed on the perpetrators? They deserve it!

[Alice B.]

12. I can't love what they're doing nearly enough - especially the channel 4 lie debunking thing

They need a medal, too!

[popsdenver]

29. Anyone know

where we can go go view the channel 4 video??????????

[Alice B.]

34. There's another thread somewhere, I think, that includes a discussion about that

I’ll try find it.

[popsdenver]

35. Thx A. B.

it would be good to read and to save.....

[Alice B.]

36. I'm trying! Multitasking at work on my doomscroll break!

[Alice B.]

37. This one? I didn't read the whole way through to see if a viable source for US viewing was offered but this is the one..

... I'm thinking of:

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/10143530227

[MadameButterfly]

32. WE need to send them thank yous en mass

maybe straight to the prison where they are being held (which might have the added benefit of annoying the prison and sending them a message tooo)

Kind of like when we send a birthday greeting to a beloved politician...

[twodogsbarking]

9. It is rather degrading to the castle.

[Raven123]

17. Perhaps

Some would suggest hosting Trump is more degrading, but I get your point. I think we tried going high when he went low and it didn’t work out so well. I guess they learned from our experience.

[Vinca]

10. I love the Brits! From what I've heard this morning, the reason they're hiding Trump at Windsor Castle is

to prevent massive demonstrations in London.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

19. Wouldn't he be just as safe at the Baskerville mansion...

... the word "mansion" would be the hook to get Der Dingleberry to at least visit. "Release the hound"!

[Javaman]

11. they should have also put up a pict with Andrew and Epstein as well. nt

[Emrys]

13. IANAL, but I'll be surprised if they can make those charges stick if it ever makes it to court

It's hard to disagree with a Led By Donkeys spokesperson quoted in The Independent:

"My colleagues were arrested for malicious communications, which seems ridiculous, because we’ve done 25 or 30 projections before, no-one’s ever been arrested,” the spokesperson told the PA news agency on Wednesday.

“In fact, sometimes the police have just watched while we’ve done it.

“So suddenly, because it’s Trump, you get this reaction, which is surprising, disappointing and very heavy-handed from police.

“I think they’ve been arrested for embarrassing Donald Trump,” the spokesperson added.

“It’s because Donald Trump’s got a very thin skin. They’re protecting his ego.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thames-valley-police-led-by-donkeys-trump-windsor-castle-windsor-b2828211.html

Other grounds for the arrest may include embarrassing the security services, but that's not reported as appearing on the charge sheet, nor is it an offence in itself, much as some might wish it to be.

The legislation they appear to be held in custody under would be the Malicious Communications Act (1988), which applies in England and Wales. It should be noted that they're currently only being held on "suspicion" of malicious communications.

It's in no way clear how the projections meet the legal criteria of a set of messages which is "indecent or grossly offensive; or threatening; or contains information which is false or believed to be false" or intended to "cause distress or anxiety" (intent is one of the keys to prosecution under this legislation).

[popsdenver]

21. Most certainly

Trump was ecstatic at the fact that they arrested those who did it......and is itching to get back to the U.S. where he can institute the charge of
"Malicious Communications" here in the U.S. to include people with protest signs peacefully protesting, as well as any of us saying ANYTHING against Trump or members of his CABAL on ANY internet group like D.U. etc

Now he can justify it by saying the U.K. has been doing it for years.............

[Wonder Why]

14. And, yet, some Americans talk about moving to the UK to get out of this country. They are a U.S. copy there.

[fujiyamasan]

25. Yes, I was there over the summer

People sound disgruntled. I have a bad feeling someone truly repulsive like Farage will come into power. It’s ripe for that sort of takeover. They’re inking these trade deals because they’re desperate. They seem to want to double down on stupid after Brexit.

Seems like they’re basically competing with us.

[JohnnyRingo]

15. Send in the National Guard!!

Trump will show Charles how a real king rules.

[BoRaGard]

16. On behalf of all the decent people on earth, I hereby award

these four people a full Citizen's Pardon, and a Citizen's Medal of Honor.

[travelingthrulife]

18. And a Nobel Peace Prize...

[AllyCat]

22. For projecting historical photos?

Why are they coddling this man-child?

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. It's the cheapest way of getting on his side

The state visit (his second, which would normally never be given to a president with a maximum of 8 total years in office, if he doesn't drop dead or get 25th Amendmented) is unabashed brown-nosing. Sure, it costs a little to host him, but they've kept the cost down by not venturing out in public with all the policing costs that would need, and whether or not it's cheaper than a direct crypto bribe, as other countries are doing, it's still less embarrassing than that (and doesn't run the risk of some legal officer deciding to get all honest about bribes - unlikely, but possible). And it's far cheaper than promising to invest money in the USA or something.

So the image of behaving like a democracy with moral standards has to be thrown out of the window, and the British state wallows in Trump's moral and financial corruption. When he's gone, they'll all say, slightly shame-facedly, "well, we had to do it for the sake of 'good relations', don't worry, we'll never do that again, oh no, of course not". Parliament at least seems to have got away without him turning up there, so they can hold their heads higher.

Today's Private Eye magazine cover sums the hypocrisy up:

[IronLionZion]

26. If "unauthorised projection" is a crime

it's time to arrest Republicans trying to project their own extremist violence onto liberals and trans people

[Deuxcents]

30. I think this is for show..they'll be out after TSF leaves. No property damage or anyone hurt..