The statue, created by US artist Brad Downey and unveiled in September 2020, was originally placed along the banks of the River Sava in July 2020, shortly before Melania Trump vacated the White House. However, the statue, which featured Melania’s larger-than-life likeness, now appears to have been removed unceremoniously, leaving only its feet and a two-meter tree stump as remnants.
The artwork’s history is oddly tumultuous. The first wooden statue, carved by local artist Ales "Maxi" Zupevc in 2019, was infamously set ablaze during a Fourth of July celebration a year after its unveiling. Downey, who planned the bronze replacement, originally sought to create a more durable tribute to the media spotlight that accompanied the First Lady.
Despite the bronze statue’s design emphasizing resilience against destruction, it seems to have met a similar fate, as officials confirm they are treating its removal as theft. Downey has speculated on the motivations behind the statue's disappearance, suggesting that it relates to the potential for Trump’s re-election.
In Sevnica, local sentiments are divided. Authorities condemned the theft, emphasizing the importance of respecting private property, but also expressed that the image of their hometown’s most famous resident was not one that garners local pride. As the investigation unfolds, the mystery surrounding the Melania Trump statue adds another layer to the narrative of her complex legacy in Slovenia.
