A life-sized bronze statue of Melania Trump, originating from her hometown in Slovenia, has been reported missing. The statue was hacked off at the ankle, leading to its removal.
Police spokesperson Allenka Drenik Rangas stated that authorities were alerted to the theft on Tuesday and have since been investigating the matter to track down those responsible.
The original statue, made from wood, made its debut in July 2019 but was destroyed a year later in a fire during protests against Trump. According to news from Slovenia, the latest statue appeared to be left with remnants of the ankle.
Brad Downey, the US-based artist who created the bronze version, had mentioned that the artwork was meant to embody a political stance. He had criticized the First Lady for her quick immigration to the US while many others faced delays.
Interestingly, some locals shared mixed feelings about the statue. In a report by The New York Times, some speculated that the incident may have been a case of vandalism or theft for profit. Others, like Franja Crank from a local bakery, voiced their lack of pride in the statue, stating, “I don’t think anyone was really proud of this statue. Not even the First Lady in America,” suggesting that its removal might be seen as acceptable.
Authorities from Sevica echoed this sentiment, noting that the First Lady’s image in the United States wasn’t something universally admired.
