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Richard Vogel/PA

Man who defaced Trump's Hollywood star with a sledgehammer arrested

James Otis was detained before he could give a press conference.

A MAN WHO admitted to defacing Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was arrested this morning.

James Otis had planned to hold a news conference at the site of Trump’s star and then surrender to police, but he was arrested beforehand.

Otis, who had his misdeed filmed on Wednesday, said he initially wanted to remove the star and auction it in New York on Election Day.

Sledgehammer

The proceeds, he said, would go to nearly a dozen women who have accused the 70-year-old Trump of sexual misconduct.

Otis ended up taking a sledgehammer and pickaxe to the star but could not totally remove the slab, as the “stone was like marble,” he told the news agency.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce quickly moved to repair the star, which was awarded to the billionaire businessman in 2007 for his work on his reality television show “The Apprentice”.

Trump Star Vandalized Gregg Donovan, who calls himself the unofficial ambassador of Hollywood, places a Trump sticker on the vandalised star. Richard Vogel Richard Vogel

“When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California state landmark,” chamber head Leron Gubler said.

“Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a difference by voting and not destroying public property.”

Gubler said the chamber planned to pursue the case against Otis, who was charged with one felony count of vandalism.

Nearly a dozen women have accused Trump of groping, forcibly kissing or being sexually aggressive toward them in the past.

GOP 2016 Trump Profile Donald Trump, with his wife, Melania , and their son, Barron, after he was given the star on the walk of fame. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

He has denied the allegations and vowed to sue the women after the November 8 election.

Latest polls have shown Trump closing the gap on Hillary Clinton.

Some poll show just a four point gap between the two as the 8 November election draws closer.

To live and die in Ireland: New CSO figures reveal the state of the nation >

Travel around Dublin city centre? More traffic changes for Luas works >

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    Mute Daniel Fontaine
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:07 PM

    The Apprentice was one of the most popular TV shows ever.
    A great insight into the running of a multi million dollar business. People were ready to murder each other to get the gig. Donald Trump was the biggest reality TV star on the planet. Everybody watched it. RTE and the Journal never shut up about it, Admit it, you all watched it.
    Now Donald’s the Anti Hero and you’re all using a different brand of toothpaste.
    Welcome to Generation Fickle.

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    Mute John Considine
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:09 PM

    I can truthfully say I’ve never seen an episode. Seriously doubt I’m alone there.

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    Mute Daniel Fontaine
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:13 PM

    Never watched it myself either John…but a lot of people did.
    And Donald was loved and admired by many.

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    Mute Shane McCarrick
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:17 PM

    Really? Us Irish loved watching Lord Sugar and the UK version of the show, which coincidentally is on tonight . Most of us really don’t care one way or the other about Trump, if we ever accidentally saw the US version of the show, it was more to gape at the brashness of the spectacle, and how it differs from the civil and reasoned UK version of the show……….

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    Mute deisecelt
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:28 PM

    loved the bill Cullen version when it was on. watched one or two lord sugar episodes. had trump not of ran for president I’d never of known he did it. in fact I never even heard anyone talk about the American version. I’d say yer a bit off with that one…

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Oct 27th 2016, 11:23 PM

    “admit it, you all watched it…i never watched it myself”

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    Mute Paul Cunningham
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    Oct 28th 2016, 10:23 AM

    @Daniel Fontaine: Never saw the US or UK version, just the Bill Cullen edition, and that was grand. Could have done another series of an Irish apprentice.

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    Mute ManUtdMan
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    Oct 28th 2016, 11:29 AM

    Lol

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Oct 27th 2016, 11:10 PM

    There are a lot of men who want to kill Trump just to be famous. Hopefully he is well protected

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Oct 27th 2016, 11:14 PM

    @Val Martin: He has a big secure wall that the Mexicans paid for to protect him.

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    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:38 PM

    There are 2500 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, some are paid for by the star themselves, they even have one dedicated to a company, Absolut Vodka

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Oct 28th 2016, 10:12 AM

    @Lazlo Saint Pierre: They are all paid for by the “stars” themselves, $30,000 in fact. You have to be invited to have one but you pay for it yourself.

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:24 PM

    Couldn’t he have just left a big stinky turd on it instead??

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Oct 28th 2016, 8:24 AM

    It’s been done!

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    Mute king Jamie
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:08 PM

    Id say a lot would do The same to trumps face if they got a chance!

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    Mute Daniel Fontaine
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:12 PM

    No need for that.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:50 PM

    @king Jamie: He can blame Obama, build a wall around it andput a few armed Mexicans guarding it.

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    Mute WJH
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    Oct 27th 2016, 11:04 PM

    Arrested???? The guy should be knighted. Or the American version of knighthood……

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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Oct 27th 2016, 10:28 PM

    This man should get a star of his own on Hollywood boulevard!

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    Mute Patrick J O'CONNOR
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    Oct 28th 2016, 12:08 AM

    Hillary and Huma must be laughing their panties off at that useful idiot.

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    Mute €uromancer
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    Oct 27th 2016, 11:24 PM

    Starstruck?

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Oct 28th 2016, 5:06 AM

    This James is the personification of the Otis “Lift”. Problem is he could not lift Trumps Star!!!

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    Mute Robert Emmett Birrell
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    Oct 28th 2016, 9:52 AM

    ‘Twas a pick axe, not a “sledgehammer”
    A PICK AXE! Ok journal goons?!

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    Mute Phil Blanc
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    Oct 27th 2016, 11:17 PM

    Gregg Donovan must be a sad man.

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    Mute Mike Hayes
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    Oct 28th 2016, 1:37 PM

    James is a f ucking hero

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