French politician Raphaël Glucksmann recently called for the United States to return the Statue of Liberty, suggesting that America no longer upholds the values the statue represents. Glucksmann criticized U.S. foreign policy under President Trump, particularly its alignment with certain authoritarian regimes, and expressed concern over actions against researchers advocating for scientific freedom.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Glucksmann’s request, stating, “Absolutely not.” She reminded him that it is only due to American intervention that France isn’t speaking German today,” implicitly referencing U.S. support during World War II.
The Statue of Liberty, dedicated in 1886, was a gift from France to the United States, symbolizing freedom and democracy. It remains a significant emblem of Franco-American friendship and is legally owned by the U.S. government.
For more details, you can watch the following news segment covering the French politician’s demand and the White House’s response: