Police investigate theft of Melania Trump's statue in Slovenia

In Slovenia, police are conducting an investigation into the recent disappearance of a bronze statue of Melania Trump. The statue was sawn off at the ankles and carried away from its location near Sevnica. This statue was unveiled in 2020, replacing a wooden statue that was destroyed in an arson attack. Local authorities were informed of the theft on a Tuesday, with police immediately inspecting the crime scene and gathering information. The bronze statue represented a lifelike depiction of the former First Lady, but locals had mixed feelings about both iterations of the statue. The original wooden sculpture was created as a tribute to Melania Trump's connection to her hometown. It depicted her in a pale blue dress resembling one she wore during her husband's presidential inauguration. However, that statue was famously set on fire shortly after its unveiling in 2019. Following the destruction, an artist named Brad Downey sought to create a more durable bronze version, which was accomplished with the help of a local craftsman. This new statue stood in the same location as the original and was expected to last longer. Since its unveiling, the bronze statue drew mixed reactions from the local community. While it served as a tourist attraction, many residents felt uncomfortable with the representation of the First Lady, linking her presence to political controversy. The officials in Sevnica expressed their disapproval of the statue's depiction and any acts against public property related to it. Nevertheless, the statue has attracted tourists eager to see a connection to an American cultural figure stemming from this quaint Slovenian town. As the investigation unfolds, officials are treating the statue's removal as a criminal act with potential ties to the polarized sentiment surrounding Melania Trump's time as First Lady. Local media have reported that law enforcement is utilizing available resources to track down those responsible for the theft. The statue's disappearance raises questions about the fate of similar public art installations and the community's relationship to them, particularly when they are linked to figures of significant political import.