A bronze statue honoring first lady Melania Trump was cut down and taken by unknown individuals this week near her hometown in southeastern Slovenia, according to police.
The bronze artwork replaced a wooden statue that had been destroyed in an arson attack in 2020 and had stood in the town of Sevnica as a tribute to Trump’s Slovenian roots, as Fox News reports.
The latest incident occurred earlier in the week and was first reported to Slovenian police on Tuesday, authorities confirmed. The statue had been situated near Sevnica, where Melania Trump -- born Melanija Knavs in 1970 -- spent her early years when Slovenia was part of then-Communist Yugoslavia.
According to police spokesperson Alenka Drenik Rangus, officials are actively investigating the vandalism and theft. The statue was reportedly sawed off at the ankles before being removed from its position, but no suspects have yet been identified or apprehended.
The bronze statue was created following the destruction of the original wooden version in 2020. That earlier version, erected as a public tribute to Slovenia’s most famous native daughter, was burned in an act of arson less than a year after it was unveiled. Both statues were the result of a collaboration between American artist Brad Downey, based in Kentucky, and local Slovenian craftsman Ales “Maxi” Zupevc. A chainsaw sculptor by trade, he carved the initial statue from the trunk of a local linden tree using hand tools and mechanical sanders.
The wooden artwork depicted Melania Trump in a blue dress similar to the one she wore at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in 2016. When that version was destroyed, it was replaced by the bronze figure that followed a similar design and was mounted on the same stump.
When unveiling plans for the replacement statue in July 2020, Downey emphasized that durability had become a top priority. He said it would be constructed using strong materials to better withstand acts of vandalism or weather-related decay. “As solid as possible, out of a durable material which cannot be wantonly destroyed,” Downey told The Guardian at the time. The decision to use bronze for the new version reflected that commitment to permanence.
Yet despite these efforts, the statue still fell prey to destruction. It is unclear whether political motivations played a role in the recent theft or whether it was an act of opportunism.
Although the statue was intended as a tribute, not all local residents embraced its presence in Sevnica. Some viewed the sculpture with skepticism or felt unsure about its artistic representation of an American first lady with strong ties to the region.
Franja Kranjc, a bakery worker in town, expressed that the statue didn’t resonate broadly within the community. She said that even Melania Trump herself might not have been pleased by it and noted, “I think it’s OK that it’s removed.” Despite mixed public opinion, the statue had developed a certain prominence among tourists visiting the area, many of whom linked it to Sevnica’s growing recognition tied to Trump’s global profile.
For Zupevc, the craftsman who sculpted both versions, creating the statue carried personal meaning. He stated during a documentary by Downey that he and Melania Trump were born in the same medical facility, a fact that gave him added interest in the project.
Describing his creative process, Zupevc recalled how his brother had remarked that the statue resembled a local waitress, underscoring the subjective nature of art. “Then, I called my brother, who said, ‘Spitting image of our waitress,’” Zupevc remembered, as he detailed how he sculpted the hair and facial features. Though the statues sparked conversation, neither Melania Trump nor her representatives ever officially commented on them or visited their locations publicly.
Following the initial burning of the wooden figure, a plaque was installed at the stump where the statue had stood. It bore a simple message stating that it commemorated a monument previously erected in tribute to Melania Trump.
The commemorative marker remains at the site after the bronze replica was removed, and it currently serves as the only evidence that a statue once stood there. Its wording carries a somber tone, recognizing that both attempts to create a lasting tribute were ultimately short-lived. As of now, local police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the most recent disappearance. Authorities have not released any information on potential suspects or motives behind the act.
Sevnica, home to just a few thousand people, has garnered international attention in recent years due to its connection to the first lady. With Slovenia now a European Union and NATO member, the town has seen increased tourism from visitors curious about Melania Trump’s origins.
The statue served as a photo opportunity for some tourists and helped advertise local businesses, including a bakery that sold sweets named in Trump’s honor. Despite this, not all locals appreciated the attention or the depiction itself. The outcome of the ongoing police investigation may determine whether Sevnica sees a third attempt to commemorate Trump, or whether the site will remain marked only by the existing plaque and memories of what once stood there.
