Crime & justice

Melania Trump Bronze Statue Stolen from Slovenian Hometown

Published MAY 17 2025

Story

Above: A newly erected life-sized bronze statue of Melania Trump stands in Rono, a village neighbouring her hometown of Sevnica, on Sept. 17, 2020, Slovenia. Image credit: Matic Zorman/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump's bronze statue was reported stolen on Tuesday from its location near Sevnica, Slovenia. Police confirmed the sculpture had been sawn off at the ankles, leaving only the feet attached to its tree trunk base in the village of Rozno.
Breitbart
FOX 10 Phoenix
nytimes
The bronze statue, created by American artist Brad Downey, was installed in 2020 as a replacement for an original wooden version that arsonists had destroyed during U.S. President Donald Trump's first presidential term.
Daily Mail
CNN
BBC News
The original wooden sculpture, carved by local artist Ales Zupevc using a chainsaw, depicted Melania Trump in the pale blue dress she wore at Donald Trump's 2017 inauguration.
Sloveniatimes
CNN
New York Post
The statue stood in a private field overlooking the Sava River near Sevnica, a town of 5,000 people located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) east of Ljubljana, where Melania Trump grew up before leaving Slovenia, then part of communist Yugoslavia.
nytimes
CNN
FOX 10 Phoenix
Police spokesperson Alenka Drenik Rangus confirmed that officers have inspected the crime scene and launched an investigation. The investigating judge and the district state prosecutor were informed about the theft.
New York Post
Breitbart
Sloveniatimes
Sevnica has capitalized on its connection to Melania Trump, offering themed products including honey, chocolate, and cake, though the former First Lady has not visited the town since her husband's first presidential inauguration.
nytimes
CNN
Daily Mail

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The statue's theft appears politically motivated and represents an attack on artistic expression meant to critique immigration policies. The bronze replacement was designed to be vandal-proof after the first wooden version was destroyed, making its theft particularly significant. The timing of the theft suggests a connection to Trump's presidential campaign.

Daily Mail

Narrative B

The statue was an unwanted reminder of Melania Trump's connection to Sevnica, and it failed to capture the town's pride in its famous former resident. Residents viewed the sculpture as unesthetic and potentially mocking, with many expressing relief at its removal. The statue's location in an isolated field reflected the community's ambivalence toward the monument.

nytimes