Artist Outraged Building Owner Painted Over Obscene Anti-Trump Message

Lexington, KY – A New York City artist painted a “F–k Trump” message into a mural she completed in downtown Lexington and she’s not happy that the building owners have painted over it.

The artist, who goes by the moniker “ELLE,” completed the painting just before the start of the PRHBTN 2019 Mural Exhibition and used ultra-violent glow paint to write the obscenity about President Trump, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

“In America, we are all entitled to share our opinion, and it’s important to exercise this right,” ELLE said in a statement released by PRHBTN. “Let me be clear, this is not about politics, this is about expressing my anger: I am fed up!”

“I demand a better leader who is not a misogynistic ‘p—y grabbing’ inappropriate person,” the artist ranted. “I want a leader, from any party-who is respectful, anti-racist, believes and acts to mitigate climate change and who believes in gender equality. We need to hold ‘leaders’ to a higher moral standard. I am fed up with this delusional sexist, racist man.”

John Winters, creator of PRHBTN, said the profane message was designed to be an “Easter egg” and be almost invisible, but it didn’t dry properly.

Winters released a statement on Wednesday that said the building’s owner wanted to keep the mural just as it was painted, but felt that the profanity should be removed after “repeated harassment.”

The art festival’s creator said he agreed with that decision, according to the Lexington Herald Leader.

“The slogan included in ELLE’s mural is constitutionally protected speech,” Winters said. “We stand behind each and every one of our artists and ELLE is no exception. We will never be afraid to speak out against racism, misogyny, xenophobia, bullying and all other forms of hatred.”

The message was painted over on Oct. 22, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

“ … apparently the message is now gone,” ELLE wrote on her Instagram story. “Free speech isn’t a thing in Trump territory.”

The artist also shared a photo of a Lexington Police Department vehicle parked just outside the building that the mural was painted on, ostensibly providing security for the controversial artwork.