This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Update: We dropped by the destroyed star.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame star that Donald Trump received in 2007 has been severely damaged. The man responsible, James Otis, dressed as a city construction worker and tried to dislodge the star with a sledgehammer and pickaxe around 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Deadline. The outlet spoke to Otis who said his original intentions were not to destroy it, rather this was an extremely poor attempt to REMOVE the star to raise money through an auction for women who have come forward with their stories of Trump sexually assaulted them.
That's because Trump, who has denied the allegations, has threatened to sue the women (the same way his campaign has threatened to sue publications that print damning allegations).
The video (which you can watch here) doesn't seem to show any attempt to delicately dislodge the star. It is pretty cathartic to watch, however.
EXCLU: @realDonaldTrump #WalkOfFame star destroyed by vandal Read here: https://t.co/NqGnncyrPi pic.twitter.com/ReFkXZDIJc
— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) October 26, 2016
Deadline also noted the area was empty at the early hour, "There was no LAPD presence in the usually well patrolled tourist spot."
Stars are "awarded" after some lobbying and a $30,000 application fee. Earlier this year, Trump's star was defaced and even had a wall built around it.
Barron "Cyber" Trump, Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the dedication ceremony in January 2007 (Getty Images)
