A bronze statue of former First Lady Melania Trump has been stolen from her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, after being cut off at the ankles. This marks the third incident involving a public likeness of Trump in the area, following a previous wooden statue being set ablaze. The disappearance has prompted a police investigation and a wave of online jokes.
The Disappearance
Police in Slovenia are investigating the theft of a life-size bronze statue of Melania Trump, which vanished from the village of Rozno, near her hometown of Sevnica. The incident was reported on May 13, 2025, with authorities confirming the statue was sawed off at the ankles, leaving only its feet attached to the tree stump pedestal. The sculpture, unveiled in 2020, stood as a replacement for an earlier wooden rendition that was destroyed by arson.
A History Of Controversy
The stolen bronze statue was commissioned by American conceptual artist Brad Downey. It replaced a wooden statue, carved by local artist Aleš Župevc, which was set on fire on July 4, 2020. That original wooden figure, depicting Melania in the pale blue dress she wore at Donald Trump’s 2017 presidential inauguration, had received mixed reviews from locals, with some finding its appearance unflattering or resembling "Smurfette." The subsequent bronze replacement was more abstract and did not bear a clear resemblance to the former First Lady.
Artist’s Reaction And Public Response
Artist Brad Downey expressed sadness over the theft, speculating that it might be connected to the upcoming election involving Donald Trump. The disappearance quickly gained traction online, with many social media users reacting with humor and confusion. Comments ranged from jokes about the statue’s abstract appearance to theories that Melania herself might have orchestrated the theft. The incident has become a viral topic, highlighting the ongoing public fascination and sometimes critical reception of the former First Lady’s public image.
Key Takeaways
- The bronze statue of Melania Trump was stolen from Slovenia on May 13, 2025.
- It was sawed off at the ankles, leaving only the feet behind.
- This is the third incident involving a public likeness of Melania Trump in Slovenia; a previous wooden statue was torched in 2020.
- Artist Brad Downey suggested the theft might be politically motivated.
- The disappearance has become a viral sensation, leading to numerous online jokes and theories.
Sources
- Melania Trump statue in Slovenia cut at ankles, stolen for third time, New York Post.
- Melania Trump’s statue in her native Slovenia stolen, NewsNation.
- Melania Trump Statue Theft In Slovenia Goes Viral, BuzzFeed.
- Melania Trump statue in her native Slovenia disappears, after previous one was set on fire, CBS News.
- Bronze statue of Melania Trump cut off at ankles, stolen from Slovenia, USA Today.
