The life-size bronze statue of Melania Trump, located near her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, has been reported missing. The theft was confirmed by local police on Tuesday, although it remains uncertain when exactly the statue was taken, according to police spokeswoman Alenka Drenik.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. Residents of the small town, which has a population of around 5,000, have varied theories about the theft. Some suspect vandalism, while others believe the statue may have been melted down for its metal value. However, no connections to a political motivation have been suggested by those interviewed.
The statue, which was originally carved from a linden tree and unveiled in 2019, garnered mixed reactions from the local community. Painted in powder blue to replicate an outfit worn by Ms. Trump at her husband's inauguration in 2017, the nine-foot tall sculpture was often described as resembling a scarecrow or a Smurf. The original wooden version was destroyed in a fire set by anonymous arsonists on July 4, 2020, leading to the creation of a bronze replacement that now stands missing.
Only the feet of the statue, severed at the ankles, remain on the tree trunk that served as its base. The sculpture was situated in a secluded field overlooking the Sava River, visited primarily by runners and cyclists. Both the wooden and bronze statues were commissioned by American artist Brad Downey, who collaborated with local craftsmen. Downey described the project as a serious exploration of President Trump’s immigration policies.
No one has claimed responsibility for the statue's disappearance, which occurred amid widespread global discontent regarding President Trump's policies, reflected in acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles and satirical advertisements targeting both the president and his advisor, Elon Musk.
Community sentiment toward the statue has largely been negative. Art teacher Nena Bedek noted that many found the statue aesthetically unpleasing, while hotelier Bruno Vidmar remarked that the town felt embarrassed by the sculpture upon its unveiling. Despite Melania Trump’s roots in Sevnica, she has not been seen there since leaving in 1985, although local businesses have capitalized on her celebrity status with merchandise and themed products.
Many locals express pride in having Melania Trump as a former resident and suggest she deserves a more fitting tribute than the statue that has now disappeared. One resident, Meri Kelemina, commented on the lack of a suitable landmark honoring her, indicating that the statue's presence had little positive impact on the town.