05/19/2024

Hollywood Hills resident Andrew Rudick has become a leading voice in the efforts to remove former President Donald Trump’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Over the past three years, Rudick has submitted public records requests, collected legal documents, and spoken at City Council meetings in an attempt to make his case, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Rudick says Trump’s star, awarded in 2007 for his work on “The Apprentice,” conveys the city’s endorsement of the former president who “attempted a coup against the United States” on January 6, 2021.

Since 2016, Trump’s star has been repeatedly vandalized and destroyed, including with a pickaxe, requiring over $20,000 in repairs. Each time, it was replaced or restored, according to Axios. 

It’s not really clear who has the authority to remove stars. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame ceremonies and stars. However, the stars are embedded in city sidewalks owned by the Los Angeles City Council. So far, neither group has acted on efforts to remove Trump’s star.

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield told the LA Times he would support taking out Trump’s star. Fellow Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez labeled Trump a “racist, fascist threat,” but said the council is still exploring the complex legal and procedural questions around removal.