A French Parliament member, Raphaël Glucksmann, demanded that the United States return the Statue of Liberty, claiming that America no longer embodies the values the iconic statue represents.
His comments came during a convention of his political party, on Sunday, where he criticized the US for allegedly siding with tyrants and firing researchers who advocate for scientific freedom.
“We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty.'” Glucksmann said to a cheering crowd. “We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home.”
White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, pushed back on Monday — expressing incredulity toward the comments from her podium at the weekly White House press-briefing.
“Absolutely not,” Leavitt retorted, half-smiling. “My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,” she quipped.
The United States has supported France in numerous ways, notably during World War II. American forces played a crucial role in liberating France from Nazi occupation, and the US has continued to defend and economically support France in the years since. As a member of NATO, and its primary patron, the US helps protect French security interests.
The Statue of Liberty, which was gifted to the United States by France in 1886, has become a symbol synonymous with democracy, hope, and the American dream. The monument, which stands on Liberty Island off the coast of New York City, was considered a French sign of good-will and appreciation for the shared values of freedom and liberty.
At the base of the statue is a plaque featuring the famous poem “The New Colossus,” often quoted by open immigration advocates. The poem ends with the following lines:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Historically, the United States has been a primary refuge for millions seeking freedom and a better life. However, under the Trump administration, immigration laws became a major focus, reversing the lenient policies of the previous administration that allowed millions of undocumented migrants into the country.
Glucksmann’s criticism of President Trump is not only related to the mass deportations of illegal immigrants, but also due to his foreign policy positions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Glucksmann, a self-described socialist, has been outspoken in his support of Ukraine’s ongoing war efforts, as well as his condemnation of Israel and his support for Hamas led Gaza. The basis for his critique regarding “scientific freedom” is unclear.
Rather than focusing on U.S. deportations of illegal immigrants, many argue that Glucksmann should prioritize the negative impact mass immigration has had on France. The European nation has faced significant challenges with integration, rising social tensions, crime, and economic strain; particularly in urban areas where the influx of immigrants has contributed to instability. It is possible that these issues, including growing unemployment rates and tensions between communities, are far more pressing for the future of France than the enforcement of American immigration policy is for America.
While Glucksmann’s political rhetoric might align with the left-wing movement in France, the White House’s response was clearly meant to remind the Frenchman that France has consistently gained from its relationship with the US, both defensively and culturally. The enforcement of long-standing immigration laws and the President’s “America First” focus are not signs of a shift in values, but rather a return to them.
