A French politician has sparked a diplomatic stir by calling for the return of the Statue of Liberty, claiming that the U.S. under President Donald Trump no longer embodies its ideals. Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament from the center-left Place Publique party, made the statement at a recent party convention, where he criticized the American government’s stance on democracy, scientific freedom, and its approach to global affairs.
The Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of Freedom
The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, was a gift from France in 1884 to celebrate the friendship between the two nations. Designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, the statue portrays Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in her left. At its base, broken shackles symbolize the end of servitude and oppression. It was officially unveiled in New York Harbor in 1886 by then-President Grover Cleveland.
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France also has its own smaller replica of the statue, located on the Seine River in Paris, which was gifted by the U.S. in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
Glucksmann’s Criticism of Trump’s America
At the Place Publique party convention, Glucksmann accused the U.S. of betraying the values the Statue of Liberty represents. “We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’” he declared. His comments referred to Trump’s policies, including a reduction in federal funding for U.S. research institutions and the dismissal of scientists from government positions. He argued that if America no longer values its researchers, France would be happy to welcome them.
Glucksmann also took issue with Trump’s diplomatic approach, particularly his attempts to negotiate a settlement between Russia and Ukraine, which some critics see as too lenient toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The America of [World War II] heroes fought against tyrants, it did not flatter them. It was the enemy of fascism, not the friend of Putin,” Glucksmann said in follow-up remarks.
White House Fires Back
The Biden administration has largely ignored Glucksmann’s remarks, but Trump officials did not hesitate to respond. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the demand outright. “My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now, so they should be very grateful to our great country,” Leavitt said at a press briefing. The comment was a reference to the U.S. military’s role in liberating France from Nazi Germany during World War II.
France Cannot Reclaim the Statue
Despite Glucksmann’s demand, reclaiming the Statue of Liberty is not legally or politically feasible. The statue is the property of the U.S. government and holds immense cultural and historical significance for Americans. Any attempt to remove it would undoubtedly trigger a major diplomatic crisis between Washington and Paris.
Even Glucksmann himself later clarified that his statement was symbolic. “No one, of course, will come and steal the Statue of Liberty. The statue is yours. But what it embodies belongs to everyone,” he wrote on social media. He added that if America no longer wants to champion democratic ideals, “then we will take up the torch, here in Europe.”
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Although Place Publique is a relatively small political party with just a few seats in the European and French parliaments, Glucksmann has been gaining more media attention in France. He has been outspoken about European defense policy and the need for stronger support for Ukraine. There is also speculation that Glucksmann may run for the French presidency in 2027. His stance on international issues, including his criticism of Trump, could help him gain more recognition on the national stage.