Staff Reports
A peculiar and provocative request from French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has stirred international headlines: the return of the Statue of Liberty to France. Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and co-leader of the leftist Place Publique party, argued that the United States no longer upholds the values of liberty and democracy that the statue symbolizes. While his remarks were intended as a symbolic critique of U.S. policies under President Trump, they have triggered widespread ridicule and pushback on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France in 1886 to mark the centennial of American independence, has long stood as a beacon of freedom in New York Harbor. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, it represents shared ideals between the two nations. However, Glucksmann’s claim that America has “betrayed” these principles under Trump’s leadership has been met with sharp criticism. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the demand as absurd, reminding France that without U.S. intervention in World War II, they might be speaking German today. The statue, she emphasized, is U.S. government property and isn’t going anywhere.
Glucksmann’s comments reflect broader European unease with Trump’s policies, including his “America First” approach to foreign relations and reductions in funding for scientific research. While his rhetoric may resonate with some progressive circles in Europe, it has done little to advance constructive dialogue between France and the United States. Instead, it has been widely interpreted as political theater aimed at scoring points domestically rather than addressing substantive issues.
Critics have also pointed out the irony in Glucksmann’s remarks. France itself has faced challenges in living up to its ideals of liberty and equality, particularly regarding immigration and social integration. Some commentators have suggested that Glucksmann would do better to focus on addressing France’s internal struggles rather than casting stones at its historic ally. Meanwhile, Americans have largely dismissed the demand as unserious, with many viewing it as an amusing distraction from more pressing global issues.
Ultimately, this controversy underscores the enduring power of symbols like the Statue of Liberty to provoke debate about national identity and values. While Glucksmann’s proposal may have been intended as a wake-up call for America, it has instead highlighted the complexities and contradictions within both nations’ commitments to liberty and democracy. As Lady Liberty continues to stand tall in New York Harbor, her presence serves as a reminder that ideals are aspirational—and that no nation holds a monopoly on their fulfillment.
