Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk Of Fame star vandalised
A star dedicated to Donald Trump on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame has been badly vandalised after it was reportedly attacked with a sledgehammer.
An image posted online showed the US presidential candidate's star on Hollywood Boulevard had been smashed to pieces and his name removed from it.
According to Deadline, a man dressed as a city construction worker and wielding a sledgehammer and pick-axe targeted the star on Wednesday morning.
The man told the Hollywood trade magazine he originally intended to remove Mr Trump's star to auction it off to raise funds for women who have accused the Republican candidate of sexually assaulting them.
Mr Trump has vehemently denied the allegations.
The billionaire tycoon received the 2,327th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2007 for his work on the American version of The Apprentice.
It has been repeatedly vandalised in recent months following his controversial comments about banning Muslims from entering the US and building a wall on the US-Mexico border.
In July, a British artist known as Plastic Jesus installed a mini-wall around Mr Trump's star, topped with razor wire, miniature US flags and Keep Out signs.
Following the latest vandal attack, a tent was erected over the damaged star, preventing passers-by from viewing it.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman said the force received a report that the star had been vandalised at 6am local time.
Officers were at the scene and an investigation was ongoing, she added. No details of the suspect were released.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which manages the Walk of Fame, said it understood there was surveillance video of the vandalism and it "intends to prosecute to the full extent of the law".
Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees.
"When people are unhappy with one of our honourees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalise 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."
Mr Trump's star will be repaired immediately but needs several days of seasoning before it is polished, a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman said.
During that time, the star will be covered to protect it, she added.
