The first statue of Melania Trump in her native Slovenia was destroyed by fire, and now its bronze replacement has gone missing, leading to a police inquiry.
This life-size bronze statue of the First Lady was unveiled in 2020 near her hometown of Sevnica, positioned above a field of wooden stumps after the original wooden statue was set on fire.
According to police spokesperson Allenka Drenik Rangas, the statue’s theft was reported on May 13, prompting officers to investigate the scene right away.
American conceptual artist Brad Downey, who created the statue, noted that it was removed at the ankles.
While in Germany working on a new project, Downey expressed his disappointment about the statue’s disappearance, saying, “I’m a little sad that it’s gone.”
He also speculated that the theft could be tied to the upcoming elections involving Donald Trump, though he admitted, “who knows?”
Downey had initially replaced the original statue after it was destroyed, feeling that it “didn’t feel right” not to have a representation of Melania Trump.
The original statue, depicting the First Lady in a blue dress and heels, was crafted by local artist Ales Zupeb using a chainsaw.
The bronze replica was secured in a private field with concrete and metal bars toward the end of Donald Trump’s first term in office.
When Melania Trump became First Lady, there were hopes of her visiting Sevnica, yet that hasn’t happened to date.
In Sevnica, which lies about 90 kilometers (60 miles) east of Ljubljana, Melania has inspired a range of products named in her honor, including cakes and chocolates.
