Naked Trump Released by Cleveland Heights Police

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Naked Donald Trump is finally free — free at least from impound, where the statue was placed by the Cleveland Heights Police Department after it made a brief appearance in front of a bank on Coventry in Cleveland Heights.

Naked Trump statues appeared in five cities across the country: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Cleveland, which was chosen at the request of the artist who created the nude Trumps, a local artist named Joshua Monroe who goes by the name "Ginger." A group called INDECLINE was responsible for the creation and distribution of the statues.

Naked Trump wasn't on display for long in Cleveland. The Cleveland Heights police whisked him away and placed him in the police evidence room before the glue could completely dry under his feet.

The Naked Trump story in Cleveland is ending the same way it began, with an update from Steve Presser of Big Fun, a novelty toy store in Cleveland Heights. Presser posted one of the few photos of Naked Trump in Cleveland before the statue was picked up by the Cleveland Heights police.

On Friday, Presser posted another photo of himself posing with Naked Trump and Ginger. Ginger had just paid the impound fee to free his statue from the CHPD evidence room. CHPD had considered filing charges against those responsible for the statue of the naked presidential candidate but decided against it.

Presser described the experience on the Big Fun Facebook page:

I have to say that I've been involved in a bunch of fun capers over the years, but this one might take the cake. The Trump nude statues popped up simultaneously around the country in 5 cities. Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. At the artist, Ginger's urging, Cleveland Heights was the 5th one. You probably know the story, the Cleveland Heights Coventry Trump nude statue was quickly whisked away by CHPD. Today, after paying an impound fee, Ginger, along with his lawyer, Dan Margolis, Rachel Bernstein, Heights Arts, Angela Hetrick, Coventry SID, and myself, transported this statue to a secure location. Leslye Arian's support and Daniel Levin, photographer, documented this. The great news...proceeds from the auction of this particular Trump statue will go towards public art in our City, including funds for future art in Coventry Village. I want to thank the City for working with all parties to see the win-win here.Most importantly...To Joshua Monroe, aka Ginger, who is not only an incredible artist, supporter of the arts, Cleveland promotor, articulate person, but really, one helluva guy! Thank you Ginger, what a pleasure it is to work with YOU!~Steve

The newly emancipated Naked Trump will be auctioned off to benefit public art in Coventry Village and Cleveland Heights area.

More Naked Trump news on Patch:

• Cleveland Heights Police to Release Naked Donald Trump Under His Own Recognizance
• What It's Like to Sculpt Trump's Naked Body Every Day for 5 Months
• Naked Donald Trump Statue Captures Hearts in New York City, But Is Quickly Torn Down (PHOTOS)
• NYC Parks Department Mocks Donald Trump Statue's Tiny Man Parts
• Naked Donald Trump Statue Pops Up in Hollywood
• He’s Back: ‘Naked Trump’ Statue Perches On New Jersey Rooftop

Photo by Sarah Kaufman/Patch