A conservative street artist placed laminate tiles bearing copies of President Trump’s star across the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, two weeks after a man destroyed the president’s official star with a pickax.
The Hollywood Reporter noted Thursday that as many as 50 of the fake stars had appeared overnight on the Walk of Fame, apparently the product of the street artist who told the news outlet that he wished to remain anonymous.
The artist added he was motivated by the recent destruction of Trump’s star, as well as a vote from the West Hollywood City Council to recommend the removal of the president’s star over his statements and alleged treatment of women.
“I didn’t want to get hit over the head from behind. We thought Trump Derangement Syndrome was a joke, but I’m pretty sure it’s real,” the artist said. “If no one peels these off, they could last there for 10 years.”
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Some businesses, including Hollywood’s branch of the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museum, had begun removing the stars as of Thursday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“We didn’t want to have what happened to the old star here. Not only would the star be destroyed, but it would damage our property,” an employee told the Reporter.
Police arrested a man, Austin Clay, who claimed responsibility for the vandalism that destroyed Trump’s star last month. Clay was later bailed out of jail, and faces charges of felony vandalism.
The star has yet to be replaced, and it’s unclear whether the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce will continue to repair the star in the face of repeated vandalism.