Melania Trump statue disappears, after previous one was set on fire

Published: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 2:50 pm

Melania Trump Statue Vanishes in Slovenia, Sparking Investigation

A bronze statue of former First Lady Melania Trump has mysteriously disappeared from her hometown in Slovenia, prompting a police investigation. The life-size sculpture, erected near Sevnica, Slovenia, where Melania Knavs (now Trump) was born, was reportedly sawed off at the ankles and removed. Authorities were notified of the theft on Tuesday.

This isn't the first time a statue of Melania has faced controversy. The bronze replica, unveiled in 2020 during Donald Trump's presidency, replaced an earlier wooden statue that was infamously set on fire in July 2020. The original wooden figure, carved from a linden tree trunk, depicted Melania in a pale blue dress reminiscent of the one she wore at her husband's presidential inauguration in 2017.

The wooden statue, created by local chainsaw artist Ales Zupevc, received mixed reactions from locals. Some found the depiction unflattering, while others compared it to a Smurfette. The bronze replacement, however, reportedly bore little resemblance to the former First Lady.

Police spokeswoman Alenka Drenik Rangus confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating that authorities are actively working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the statue's disappearance. The incident highlights the continued interest and scrutiny surrounding Melania Trump, even after her time in the White House. The theft adds another chapter to the story of the statues, which have become a symbol of the complex relationship between the former First Lady and her Slovenian roots.

Keywords: Melania Trump, statue, Slovenia, Sevnica, theft, bronze statue, wooden statue, Ales Zupevc, Donald Trump, first lady, investigation, missing statue, Melania Knavs, controversy, politics, art, sculpture, disappearance, police, news

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