An image of Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was projected onto Windsor Castle as the U.S. president arrived in the U.K. for an unprecedented second state visit on Tuesday night.
Four men were arrested on suspicion of “malicious communications following a public stunt in Windsor,” the Thames Valley Police told BBC News, and remain in custody. The police said that an investigation is underway and that the projection was stopped “swiftly.”
Trump will be meeting King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton at Windsor Castle on Wednesday during the first full day of his visit. Though a U.K. state visit is customary during a U.S. president’s first term in office, presidents in their second term have not typically been offered another one.
On Wednesday morning, the same image of Epstein and Trump together was spotted on a van in Windsor with the message: “Welcome to the U.K., Donald.” Protesters have also gathered in the town ahead of his visit, according to the BBC, and a planned protest is taking place in central London by the Stop Trump Coalition.
Trump has been facing renewed heat over his alleged connections to Epstein. Though he has claimed he was “not a fan” of the former financier, the Wall Street Journal published a story in July alleging that he wrote Epstein a lewd note for his 50th birthday, including a remark that the two have “certain things in common.” Trump asserted the story was false and filed a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against the publication. Just last week, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Lord Peter Mandelson, the country’s ambassador to the U.S., after Bloomberg reported that he had sent Epstein supportive messages after his 2008 guilty plea.
While in Windsor, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will have lunch with members of the royal family, visit Queen Elizabeth II’s resting place and attend a traditional state banquet at the castle. On Thursday, Trump will meet Starmer at his country house, where the two will have a meeting followed by a press conference.
From Variety US
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