A French leftist politician is demanding that the US return the Statue of Liberty—claiming that America not upholds the values for which France initially gifted the monument in 1886.
At a gathering of his Place Publique motion, Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament (MEP), launched an unhinged assault on the U.S., criticizing President Donald Trump’s international coverage, protection of scientific freedom, and budgetary choices.
“We’re going to say to the People who’ve chosen to aspect with tyrants, to the People who fired researchers for demonstrating scientific freedom, ‘Give us again the Statue of Liberty. We gave it to you as a present, however apparently you despise it. So it will likely be simply high-quality right here at residence,’” Glucksmann told supporters.
“The second factor we’re going to say to the People is ‘if you wish to hearth your finest researchers, if you wish to hearth all of the individuals who, by their freedom and their sense of innovation, their style for doubt and analysis, have made your nation the world’s main energy, then we’re going to welcome them,’” he added.
Glucksmann additionally addressed the dismissal of American researchers advocating for scientific freedom, expressing France’s willingness to welcome these scientists. He additional criticized right-wing French parliamentarians who help Trump and Elon Musk, labeling them a “fan membership.”
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FRENCH MEP: GIVE US BACK THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
The US not represents the values for which France gave the statue to the US, mentioned Raphaël Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament. pic.twitter.com/T9Nu8yIsq6
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 16, 2025
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, was gifted to the U.S. by France in 1886 to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence, and symbolize the enduring friendship between the 2 nations.
