Trump Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Ceremony

On January 16, 2007, Donald Trump knelt beside the 2,327th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in front of a building that then housed a toy store. The star was awarded in the category of television, recognizing Trump’s role as host and executive producer of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” which was then in its sixth season and remained one of the network’s most-watched programs.

The ceremony was attended by fans, tourists, and media. Trump used the occasion to promote upcoming episodes of The Apprentice and to discuss his various business ventures. At the time, the star was a straightforward celebration of his television success.

Symbol of Celebrity Status

The Walk of Fame star represented the culmination of Trump’s transformation from New York real estate developer to national entertainment figure. By 2007, he was three years into The Apprentice and had become one of the most recognizable faces on American television. His catchphrase “You’re fired” had entered the cultural lexicon, his name was licensed on buildings and products worldwide, and he commanded speaking fees that reflected his celebrity rather than his business acumen.

The star also symbolized the entertainment industry’s embrace of Trump during this period. He was a regular presence at awards shows, appeared in cameos in films and television series, and was featured on magazine covers. Hollywood’s relationship with Trump would sour dramatically in the years to come as he entered politics and took positions that put him at odds with much of the entertainment establishment.

A Recurring Target

After Trump entered politics and particularly after his 2016 presidential campaign, the Walk of Fame star became a flashpoint for protest. It was vandalized multiple times, including being destroyed with a pickaxe in July 2018 by a man who was later charged with felony vandalism. The star was defaced with paint, surrounded by protest signs, and encircled by miniature walls mocking Trump’s border wall proposals. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce repeatedly repaired the star at a cost of approximately $30,000 each time, and the West Hollywood City Council passed a nonbinding resolution in 2018 urging its removal, though the Hollywood Chamber declined to act on the request.