The Statue of Liberty, one of the most recognizable symbols of freedom and democracy, has become the focal point of a new political controversy between France and the United States. French Member of the European Parliament Raphael Glucksmann recently stated that the U.S. should return the statue to France.
He believes that America under Donald Trump no longer upholds the ideals it represents. So, the statue should be returned. This struck a nerve and triggered a strong response from the Trump administration.
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Raphael Glucksmann made his statement at a political party convention, pointing to Trump’s recent decisions. This included suspending military aid to Ukraine, withdrawing from international agreements, and cracking down on scientific research. He suggested that if the United States no longer valued the principles of liberty and justice, France would be happy to take the statue back.
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His comments were particularly aimed at Trump’s perceived alignment with authoritarian leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. The reaction from the White House was swift and dismissive. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, mocked Glucksmann as an “unnamed low-level French politician”. She reminded France of America’s role in liberating it from Nazi Germany during World War II.
Additionally, she further asserted that the U.S. would not return the statue and that France “should be very grateful” for American sacrifices. This response only fueled the debate. Many supported the French Politician and questioned whether Trump’s policies truly aligned with the values the Statue of Liberty symbolizes.
France’s Call For The Return Of The Statue Of Liberty Was A Symbolic Protest Against Trump’s Policies
Raphael Glucksmann’s statement was obviously not about physically reclaiming the statue. Through his statement, however, he challenged the U.S. government’s departure from the values it once championed. The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France in 1884 to celebrate democracy and freedom, has long been associated with welcoming immigrants and upholding human rights.
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The poem inscribed on its pedestal, The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus, famously declares; “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” However, Trump’s administration has pursued policies that many believe contradict this message.
His aggressive stance on immigration, including mass deportations and travel bans, has led to concerns that the U.S. is turning away from its historical role as a refuge for those seeking freedom. Recently, his government deported a Brown University medical professor to Lebanon despite her valid work visa and a judge’s order to stop the deportation.
In another case, over 250 people were forcibly sent to El Salvador despite legal rulings against their removal. Glucksmann also pointed to the Trump administration’s cuts to scientific research and the firing of thousands of researchers. He argued that these moves undermine intellectual freedom. If America does not value its scientific community, he suggested, France would gladly welcome displaced researchers.
This sentiment highlights the growing concern among global leaders about the erosion of democratic norms under Trump’s leadership. Trump’s wavering support for Ukraine, his admiration for authoritarian figures, and his disregard for international institutions have all alarmed European allies. Moreover, despite everything, France has no legal claim to reclaim the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift, and its ownership belongs to the United States.
