Melania Trump Statue Vanishes from Slovenia Amid Ongoing Controversy

Authorities in Slovenia are investigating the theft of a bronze statue of Melania Trump, unveiled in 2020, which has mysteriously gone missing, leaving only its feet behind.

The iconic bronze statue, created by US artist Brad Downey, was first revealed on the banks of the River Sava in July 2020, just months before Melania Trump left the White House. But now, following her return to Washington, the statue appears to have vanished from its resting place in Sevnica, her Slovenian hometown. Local police are treating its disappearance as a case of theft and have launched an investigation into the matter.

What's left behind is a curious sight: just the feet of the statue, which was placed atop a two-meter tree stump. The incident strikes a poignant note in the history of Melania Trump tributes in Slovenia, as this is not the first time a statue in her honor has met a disastrous fate. The original statue, crafted in 2019 from wood by local artist Ales "Maxi" Zupevc, was destroyed in a politically charged act when an unidentified individual set it ablaze on the Fourth of July.

Downey, the artist responsible for the subsequent bronze iteration, aimed for a more durable representation, supposedly built to withstand vandalism. Ironically, it has now been taken away at the ankles. With rumors swirling, Downey speculated that the statue's disappearance may relate to ongoing political tensions and the prospect of Trump’s re-election.

Meanwhile, local authorities shared mixed feelings about the situation, condemning the interference with public property while also indicating that the sentiments surrounding Melania Trump were complex. They stated that the image of the US First Lady wasn’t particularly embraced among the townspeople, complicating the narrative around her tribute in Sevnica.