The Statue of Liberty has long stood as a beacon of freedom and democracy, a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. However, a French politician now claims that America no longer upholds the ideals the statue represents.
"Give It Back"—Glucksmann’s Bold Demand
During a political convention on March 16, French Member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann called for the Statue of Liberty to be returned to France. Speaking at an event for his center-left movement, Place Publique, he criticized the United States under President Donald Trump, stating that the country has "chosen to side with tyrants."
"Give us back the Statue of Liberty," Glucksmann declared, arguing that the U.S. no longer embodies the values of freedom and democracy that led France to donate the monument. "We gave it to you as a gift, but it seems you despise it. So it will be just fine here, at home," he added, as reported by Digi24.
Political Tensions and Research Cuts
Glucksmann, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, has been highly critical of Trump’s foreign policy shifts, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. He also condemned the U.S. administration’s budget cuts affecting research institutions, which he claims undermine scientific freedom.
Since Trump’s return to office in January 2025, his government has reduced federal funding for research and dismissed hundreds of scientists in the health and climate sectors. In response, France has launched initiatives to attract these researchers. "If you want to fire the best minds—the people who made your country the world's leading power—we will gladly welcome them," Glucksmann stated.
A Symbolic Dispute
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, has stood in New York Harbor for nearly 140 years as a symbol of Franco-American friendship. Paris itself hosts a smaller replica of the statue on an island in the Seine. While Glucksmann’s comments were likely symbolic, they highlight the growing tensions between European leaders and the current U.S. administration over democratic values and scientific freedom.
