Police stopped an ad van in Windsor displaying a huge image of Donald Trump alongside convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein on the day of the US President’s state visit.
The vehicle was being driven around the town by campaign group Everyone Hates Elon, who said the van was seized by Thames Valley Police. The force quickly denied that claim, saying it had only been pulled over because of a possible traffic offence.
The activists, who earlier in the week had unfurled a giant banner of the same photograph outside Windsor Castle, say their mission is to make sure Trump’s connection with Epstein “haunts him everywhere he goes”. Footage taken at the scene shows an officer driving the van away after speaking with those involved, reported Byline Times.
A spokeswoman for Everyone Hates Elon said: “We’re sick of the US’s influence on the UK – whether it’s billionaires like Elon Musk or billionaire backers like Donald Trump. Trump is bringing over tech billionaires to the UK this week just as his former advisor Musk spoke to a far-right rally in central London”.
“They want us to think the US is a good influence – but the truth is Trump is an abuser who was friends with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. How can that be good for anyone in the UK? There’s no way we’re letting him use our country to polish his image. We’re ready to make sure Epstein haunts him everywhere he goes.”
Thames Valley Police insisted the matter was about road safety and not censorship. A spokeswoman said: “Security checks are a necessary part of our response to ensure the safety of the state visit and all those in the area. The driver was at risk of breaching the Road Traffic Regulations Act, and after a brief conversation with officers the motorist left the area. No arrests were made and no vehicles were seized. We have been clear with the public that an enhanced police presence would be in place due to the state visit.”
The protests in Windsor have already seen four activists arrested after projecting the same image onto the castle walls on Tuesday night. Trump’s trip to Britain has been overshadowed by growing scrutiny over his past links to Epstein, especially as the fallout continues from the sacking of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador after emails exposed his own relationship with the disgraced financier.
For Trump, Epstein has become an ongoing source of embarrassment during his second term. His refusal to release the so-called “Epstein files” has fuelled suspicion of a cover-up even among parts of his loyal MAGA base. The President has consistently denied being friends with Epstein, but evidence continues to surface.
Only recently, Trump was forced to deny writing a disturbing message in Epstein’s “birthday book” that included a crude sketch of a woman’s body and a signature resembling his own. The White House said, “the President did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.”
Yet Trump himself has previously spoken warmly of Epstein. In a past interview with New York Magazine, he said: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
