Fake Donald Trump stars pop up on Hollywood Walk of Fame, pro-Trump 'faction' claims responsibility
Although liberal Hollywood hates the guts of President Trump, with the West Hollywood City Council unanimously voting to get rid of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame permanently, it looks like the "silent majority" is ready to take matter in their own hands.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, as many as 50 duplicate vinyl stars popped up on the Walk of Fame early Thursday. The incident came just two weeks after a man turned himself in for destroying Trump's original star with a pickax.
A pro-Trump group, who call themselves “The Faction” on their Twitter handle, warned that more stars would appear on the pavement if his star is removed, while also claiming responsibility for the act.
The "faction", who have nicknamed themselves the "MAGA legion", tweeted Thursday: “Keep taking down the @realDonaldTrump star, and we will further spread Trump Derangement Syndrome by installing a never-ending stream of stars." The tweet also featured a video showing one of its members placing the duplicates on the walk.
The members, wearing hard-top helmets and bright orange construction vests, installed the Trump stars alongside famous personalities such as actor/director Rob Reiner and late night host Jimmy Kimmel.
In an alleged conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, the group revealed that the stickers cost them $1,000 and were funded by a “young and anonymous entrepreneur." If untouched, the stars could last for over 10 years, the group claimed.
One of the members of the "faction" is reportedly a “rogue right-wing street artist,” who spoke to the publication on condition of anonymity.
"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. If no one peels these off, they could last there for 10 years," he reportedly said.
Having said that, the fake stars were removed in no time. Citing fears of further vandalism and damage to the property, one unnamed business employee told the publication that they peeled the stars off as soon as possible.
"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," he said.
Trump's star was vandalized for the umpteenth time last month by a pickaxe-wielding 24-year-old man who subsequently turned himself in to the authorities.
Earlier this week, the West Hollywood City Council passed a resolution urging the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles City Council to remove the president's star for good, saying his “disturbing treatment of women and other actions that do not meet the shared values" of the city.
In a conversation with CNN, Mayor John Duran said, "The West Hollywood City Council did not pass the resolution because Donald Trump is a conservative or a Republican. Earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is an honor. When one belittles and attacks minorities, immigrants, Muslims, people with disabilities or women -- the honor no longer exists."