French Politician Urges Trump to Return Statue of Liberty; U.S. Offers Defiant Response

Tensions between France and the United States have been reignited by French Member of the European Parliament, Raphaël Glucksmann, who recently called for the return of the Statue of Liberty. During an event for his center-left party "Public Square," Glucksmann criticized the domestic and foreign policies of Donald Trump's administration.

"Give us back the Statue of Liberty. It was our gift to you, but it seems you disdain it. She would be happier here with us," declared Glucksmann, drawing applause from his supporters. He accused the United States of aligning with tyrants, citing Trump's restrictive immigration policies and his controversial stance on the Ukraine conflict.

The White House's Swift Rebuttal

The response from Washington was prompt. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed the idea with derision, firmly rejecting the notion of returning the iconic statue. "Absolutely not," Leavitt replied when asked if President Trump would consider the French request.

With a hint of sarcasm, Leavitt suggested, "My advice to that unidentified low-level French politician would be to remember that it's thanks to the United States that the French aren't speaking German today, and they should be very grateful to our great nation." She concluded with a smile, recalling the pivotal role of the United States in World War II, specifically the Normandy Invasion, where American-led Allied forces played a crucial role in liberating France from Nazi occupation.

Interestingly, history-savvy netizens have pointed out that the United States itself might not exist without France's decisive support. France was a key ally of the American rebels during the War of Independence, providing weapons, gunpowder, and financial aid even before formally allying with the United States in 1778 following the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga.

Glucksmann's Continued Criticism

Undeterred, Glucksmann took to social media to elaborate on his position and respond to Trump's spokesperson. "I wouldn't be here if hundreds of thousands of young Americans hadn't reached the shores of Normandy," he wrote in a thread on X, expressing "eternal gratitude" to the United States for its sacrifices during World War II.

However, he clarified that America of the past "fought against tyrants, not flattered them. It opposed fascism, not befriended Putin. It supported resistance, not attacked Zelenski." Glucksmann emphasized the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, stating, "That America, true to the wondrous words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, deserves much more than betrayal of Ukraine and Europe, xenophobia, or obscurantism."

"If the free world no longer interests your government, we will carry the torch in Europe. Until we meet again in the battle for freedom and dignity, we will be the continuers of our shared history and the protectors of our treasure: more than a statue of copper and steel, the liberty it symbolizes," he concluded.

The Symbolic "Liberty Enlightening the World"

The statue, originally named "Liberty Enlightening the World," was conceived by French politician Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by Auguste Bartholdi. It was officially gifted to the United States on July 4, 1884, to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence and celebrate the abolition of slavery. The monument was inaugurated on October 28, 1886, on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

For decades, the statue has stood as a beacon of freedom and democracy. Its inscription, featuring verses from Emma Lazarus's poem ‘The New Colossus,’ is especially iconic: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free (...) Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Nonetheless, Glucksmann believes that today's America, under Trump's administration, has strayed from those ideals. "Today, this land is ceasing to be what it once was," he lamented during his public address, accusing Trump of "authoritarianism" and betraying America's democratic tradition.

Is France Entitled to Reclaim the Statue?

Despite the media frenzy, the request lacks any legal basis. The Statue of Liberty is owned by the U.S. government and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While largely symbolic, Glucksmann's proposal highlights the growing discontent among European sectors with the direction of Washington's foreign policy under Trump's leadership.

Glucksmann concluded by noting that his request is more of a moral metaphor than a genuine demand: "No one, of course, will go to take it away. It is yours. But what it represents belongs to everyone," he stated.