Melania Trump: ‘Disgraceful’ wooden statue of first lady prompts complaints in Slovenia

‘It doesn’t look anything like Melania. It’s a smurfette. It’s a disgrace’

A wooden statue of Melania Trump has reportedly been erected in the first lady’s home country of Slovenia, despite criticism from locals.

The conceptual statue – which depicts Ms Trump standing in the blue outfit she wore to her husband’s inauguration in 2017 – was commissioned by US artist Brade Downey and created by artist Ales Zupevc, known as Maxi, according to ITV.

The life-sized statue is planted atop a wooden plank with shrubbery in a field near her hometown of Sevnica, according to photographs released this week.

Locals complained about the statue, not due to the first lady’s affiliation with Donald Trump, but rather because they say the wooden sculpture does not look like Ms Trump at all.

“It doesn’t look anything like Melania,” one local told the outlet. “It’s a smurfette. It’s a disgrace.”

Another local reportedly echoed those comments, telling the reporter, “It’s not okay. It’s a disgrace. That’s what I have to say.”

Mr Downey reportedly did not include any instructions with his request for the artist to build the conceptual design of the first lady – except that it must feature the same dress she wore to the inauguration.

The first lady has become one of her home country’s most famous exports ever since her husband became the US president.

Businesses and storefronts in Slovenia began selling Melania slippers, cake and even honey, branding their products with the first lady’s image.

Ms Trump reportedly hired a local law firm in 2017 to prevent shops from using her likeness to sell products.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.