'Be grateful...' US slams 'low-level' French MP's 'return Statue of Liberty' demand
Paris: A French politician has ignited controversy by demanding the return of the Statue of Liberty, citing U.S. President Donald Trump's policies as contradictory to the monument’s ideals of freedom and democracy. Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, made the remarks during a speech at a Place Publique convention.
Political statement sparks debate
"Give us back the Statue of Liberty," Glucksmann declared, addressing his supporters. He accused the U.S. of siding with oppressive regimes and criticised recent actions, including the dismissal of researchers advocating for scientific freedom. "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.'"
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the U.S., presented on 4 July 1884 to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the 305-foot-tall monument has stood in New York Harbor since its official unveiling on 28 October 1886. A replica of the statue also exists along the Seine River in Paris.
Glucksmann's comments reflect a broader frustration in Europe over Trump’s foreign policy shifts, particularly his stance on Russia and Ukraine. Since taking office, Trump has been critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, even suggesting that Ukraine instigated the conflict with Russia. In a controversial incident, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House following a meeting last month.
White House responds to statue demand
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Glucksmann’s remarks, making it clear that the U.S. would not return the statue. "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," Leavitt said, referencing U.S. military support for France during World War II.
The relationship between France and the U.S. has been historically complex. While the U.S. played a crucial role in liberating France during World War II, France was instrumental in the American Revolutionary War, providing financial and military aid that helped secure American independence. However, the U.S. did not reciprocate the support when the French Revolution erupted in 1789.
Statue of liberty's symbolism and UNESCO recognition
The Statue of Liberty is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and remains U.S. government property. Initially conceived as a tribute to Franco-American friendship, its construction was delayed by the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The French funded the statue itself, while the Americans were responsible for building its pedestal. The monument was eventually transported to the U.S. in 350 pieces before being reassembled in New York.
Glucksmann’s call for its return comes amid broader criticism of Trump’s policies from France’s political circles. French President Emmanuel Macron has attempted to maintain diplomatic relations with Trump while pushing back against certain policies, particularly tariff hikes. Prime Minister François Bayrou has been more outspoken, criticising the treatment of Zelensky and warning that Trump's stance on Ukraine could embolden Russia.
Glucksmann’s party has taken an even stronger stance, accusing Trump’s administration of authoritarian tendencies and suggesting that it is "preparing to deliver Ukraine on a silver platter" to Russia. In his speech, Glucksmann referenced poet Emma Lazarus' famous words about the statue, which describes it as the "mighty woman with a torch" welcoming the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
"Today, this land is ceasing to be what it was," Glucksmann stated, arguing that Trump's policies have strayed from the values that the Statue of Liberty represents.
Despite the controversy, the demand for the statue’s return remains largely symbolic, with no official backing from the French government. However, Glucksmann ended his speech with a pointed message to the U.S., offering to welcome top researchers who had been dismissed from institutions like the National Institutes of Health due to funding cuts.
"The second thing we're going to say to the Americans is: 'If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to fire all the people who, through their freedom and their sense of innovation, their taste for doubt and research, have made your country the world's leading power, then we're going to welcome them.'"
(With inputs from AP)