Police investigate disappearance of Melania Trump's statue in her native Slovenia
3 minute readPublished: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Melania Trump Statue Stolen in Slovenia: Police Investigate
A bronze statue of former First Lady Melania Trump has been stolen from her hometown in Slovenia, prompting a police investigation. The life-size sculpture, erected in 2020 near Sevnica, where Melania Knavs (Trump's maiden name) was born, was reportedly sawed off at the ankles and removed.
The theft was reported to the police on Tuesday, according to spokeswoman Alenka Drenik Rangus. Authorities are currently working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the brazen act.
This isn't the first time a statue of Melania Trump has faced controversy. The bronze replica replaced an earlier wooden statue that was set on fire in July 2020. The wooden version, carved from a linden tree, depicted her in a pale blue dress reminiscent of the one she wore at her husband's presidential inauguration.
Local reactions to the stolen statue have been mixed. Franja Kranjc, a bakery worker in Sevnica, expressed a sentiment shared by some locals, stating that the statue wasn't particularly well-received and its removal is not a great loss. The bronze statue, unlike the wooden one, bore little resemblance to the former First Lady.
The incident highlights the ongoing interest and scrutiny surrounding Melania Trump, even after her time in the White House. The theft raises questions about the motivations behind the act and the future of any potential tributes to the former First Lady in her native country.
BNN's Perspective: While the theft of any public artwork is regrettable, the lack of widespread affection for the statue, as indicated by local reactions, suggests this incident may be more symbolic than a major loss. It underscores the complex relationship between public figures and their hometowns, especially when political affiliations are involved.
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