The Hollywood Walk of Fame got an extra dose of publicity after a man took a pickaxe to Donald Trump’s star.
Austin Mikel Clay, 24, destroyed the controversial star at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. He immediately turned himself in at the Beverly Hills police headquarters. He was charged with suspicion of felony vandalism and held at a $20,000 bail.
However, his bail was posted by a man who did the same act of vandalism just two years ago. James Otis, heir to the Otis elevator company, immediately came to the rescue and plans to meet with Clay as soon as he’s released.
Otis was sentenced to three years probation with 20 hours of community service. He was also fined $4,000 to replace the star.
Clay’s intentions were to destroy the star but Otis had a different motive.
His initial plan was to remove the star from the sidewalk and auction it off. He intended to disperse the profits to women who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Trump.
He realized it would take longer to go through with his plan and destroyed the star instead.
He told the Times that family members who experienced sexual violence were his reasoning behind the public display of anger towards the now president. He indicated he “sort of had enough with Mr. Trump’s aggressive language toward women.”
Otis carried out the event in a hard hat, construction vest, sledgehammer and a pick. “I’ve had personally in my own family four people who have been assaulted or have had sexual violence happen to them,” he said. “It all became very personal.”
Though the motive is unclear, many have voiced their support of Clay.
A GoFundMe page was started by Carina Hull of Aptos, California. It reads, “On July 24th 2018, patriot Austin Clay destroyed rapist Donald trump’s Hollywood star on the walk of fame. Bail is set at $20,000 for felony vandalism. Let’s get Austin out today.”
Trump earned the star on the Walk of Fame when he was on the television show, The Apprentice.