Someone just destroyed Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a pickaxe
If you’ve ever wondered why Donald Trump has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — it’s thanks to The Apprentice and not his dazzling cameo in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York — well, it might be a moot point right now.
As reporter Jonathan Gonzalez of NBC Los Angeles tweeted Wednesday morning, the star — which is no stranger to vandalism — has been smashed to smithereens by a man using a pickaxe. The man has since turned himself in and is now in custody, Beverly Hills Police have confirmed.
So this just happened again… somebody used a pick axe to destroy Donald Trump's star on the Walk of Fame. Still trying to learn more, but we know it's been vandalized multiple times, just never on this level. @NBCLA 📸: Victor Park/Loudlabs pic.twitter.com/lzq7YrsSRV
— Jonathan Gonzalez (@JonathanNBCLA) July 25, 2018
Multiple people — including police — tell me a man walked up with a guitar case and pulled out the pick axe. Then, it’s believed, he called police himself to report it, but left the scene before they got here. Now, he’s nowhere to be found. @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/mJNh1dbO0J
— Jonathan Gonzalez (@JonathanNBCLA) July 25, 2018
Witnesses told NBC Los Angeles that the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. local time and reported seeing the unidentified man pulling a pickaxe from a guitar case he was carrying. He initially fled the scene, leaving the pickaxe behind.
It’s not the first time Trump’s star — which happens to be situated next to the one bearing Kevin Spacey‘s name — has been damaged by protesters.
The star has been covered with stickers — most recently during Pride Month in June — and surrounded by protest signs. In 2016 a swastika was spray-painted over it, followed by a mute button just months later. It’s also been attacked with a sledgehammer and axe and bordered by a 6-inch wall in protest of the president’s immigration stance.
In every case, the damage has been repaired. There are currently no plans to move the star.
Update: President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce released this statement to Yahoo Entertainment:
To reiterate: “The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees,” said Leron Gubler, President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California State landmark. Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a difference by voting and not destroying public property.”
Gubler said the Chamber is working with the police in regards to this felony and intends to prosecute to the full extent of the law. He said this is something the Chamber would do for any Walk of Fame star that has been vandalized. The Chamber understands that there is surveillance video of the vandalism and the perpetrator has turned himself in.
The Hollywood Historic Trust will repair the star immediately but requires several days of seasoning before it is polished. During that time, it will be covered to protect it.
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Bristol Palin is joining ‘Teen Mom OG’ and Twitter is furious
Alyssa Milano defends new Netflix show ‘Insatiable’ after fat-shaming backlash
Jennifer Lopez scams her way into her dream job in ‘Second Act’ trailer
