The statue, which depicted Melania Trump and stood just 15 minutes outside Sevnica, was reported missing on Tuesday, leading to an ongoing inquiry by local police. While the exact time of the theft remains unclear, it has raised questions among the town's small population of about 5,000. Residents have voiced differing opinions on what may have happened to the statue. Some have speculated it may have been the result of vandalism, while others believe it’s possible that the statue was stolen to be melted down and sold for its material value.
Locals have had varying reactions to the statue, which features an expressionless figure with its arm raised in a tight wave. Igor Pavkovic, a lifelong resident, mentioned how he found the statue amusing at first but deemed it bizarre how infrequently Melania Trump has been seen. After moving away in 1985, Melania has never returned to offer her hometown any public presence, making the statue's connection to her legacy even more tenuous. Originally crafted from wood, the statue was fashioned from a linden tree by an artist in 2019, who utilized a chainsaw to create a rough representation of Trump's likeness.
