Man Who Destroyed Trump’s Hollywood Star ‘Bailed Out Of Jail’ By Last Guy Who Did It

PA

The man who vandalised Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been released on bail, all thanks to a similar minded individual.

James Otis destroyed the Trump star back in 2016, using a pick axe. And so, he was reportedly more than happy to lend a hand to Austin Clay, who attacked the star at around 3am on Wednesday, July 25, also with a pick axe.

Otis has picked up the $20k bail for 24-year-old Clay, and is apparently very keen to meet up with his fellow Trump disliker as soon as he walks out of jail.

Clay has now dodged doing hard time after pleading no contest to a felony charge of vandalism, according to TMZ.

He has instead been put on three years probation, receiving 20 days worth of community service and a bill for $4,400 (£3,300) to replace the ruined star.

Footage of the incident shows Clay going to town on Trump’s star with a pick axe, which he allegedly had concealed inside a guitar case.

Back when Otis first obliterated the star, he also used clever methods of deception; disguising himself as a construction worker so as not to attract too much attention.

Otis had reportedly wanted to sell off pieces of the star in order to financially support the legal defence of 11 women, who’ve made groping allegations against Trump.

Discussing his actions in a video, the anti-Trump activist revealed:

It was very difficult. The stone was like marble, hard to get through. It would have taken an hour.

I’d like to try to go back and try to get the other part of the star. I just don’t know how to do that yet.

Much like Clay, Otis was sentenced to three years of probation and 20 days of community service, and ordered to pay $4,400 for the damage caused.

Otis later told the press:

Upon reflection after my arrest, I had said I was proud and felt very good about destroying Mr. Trump’s star. However, now I realize I was wrong, that I shouldn’t have done it.

Trump’s star was placed on the Walk of Fame to mark his contribution to television through his show, The Apprentice.

The star has been used in recent times to make political points, protesting against the policies of the Trump administration.

In July 2016, a protestor used razor wire to build a 12cm-high concrete barrier around the star, referring to Trump’s notorious comments about building a wall along the Mexico–United States border.

Earlier this month, comedian George Lopez pretended to urinate over the star, using a bottle of water.

People have been divided over Clay’s actions. Some have had a very positive reaction, describing him as an ‘American hero’ and thanking him for his ‘hard work.’

However, others have expressed fury, with one person tweeting:

Dear Trump Star vandal. He’s still the President and you’re still a criminal.

What do you think?

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Julia Banim

Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.