A French Euro-deputy called for the return of the Statue of Liberty on Sunday, arguing that the United States no longer upholds the values for which France gifted the statue.
Raphael Glucksmann, a centre-left politician, told a convention of his Place Publique movement, “Give us back the Statue of Liberty,” criticizing Americans for siding with “tyrants” and firing researchers who advocated for scientific freedom. He suggested that since the U.S. no longer respects the statue’s symbolism, it would be better placed back in France, where it was originally given as a gift.
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French artist Auguste Bartholdi, was presented to the U.S. in 1886 to celebrate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. Paris also has a smaller replica on an island in the Seine. Glucksmann, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, condemned President Donald Trump’s policies, especially his cuts to U.S. research institutions, which have led to efforts by the French government to attract American researchers to France. Glucksmann criticized Trump’s actions and pointed out that his administration’s decisions to reduce funding and fire workers in health and climate research have hurt the nation’s innovation. He also condemned far-right leaders in France who support Trump and Elon Musk’s policies.
