You don’t deserve it!’ French lawmaker demands Statue of Liberty back, says U.S. has abandoned the ideals it once stood for

A French politician has issued a bold demand. Raphaël Glucksmann, a French lawmaker, has called on the United States to return the Statue of Liberty, claiming the country has abandoned its ideals of freedom and democracy.

His fiery speech sparked debate on both sides of the Atlantic. His comments, fueled by concerns about political shifts and scientific suppression, sparked debate and elicited mixed reactions in France and America.

Why does France want the Statue of Liberty back?

The left-leaning politician, Raphaël Glucksmann, asserted that the US no longer exemplifies the ideals that the well-known statue represents.


At a recent convention of his political party, Place Publique, Raphaël Glucksmann said, "Give us back the Statue of Liberty" to the Americans who have sided with the tyrants and the Americans who fired researchers for calling for scientific freedom, according to the French newspaper Le Monde.

“You seem to detest it, even though we gave it to you as a gift. As the audience cheered, he said, "So it will be just fine here at home," as quoted in a report by The NY Post.

Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, created Lady Liberty, which France gifted to the United States. In 1886, then-President Grover Cleveland held a dedication ceremony to unveil it in Upper New York Bay. The cherished statue is now a global symbol of freedom and one of the United States' most enduring symbols.

With her granite pedestal in the shape of a star, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall and weighs approximately 450,000 pounds.

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Has the U.S. abandoned the statue’s ideals?

Raphaël Glucksmann, a strong supporter of the war in Ukraine, has harshly criticized President Trump for his aggressive attempts to reduce US assistance to the conflict.

He has also been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump's cuts to research and college funding.

“We're going to tell the Americans, "If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to fire all the people who have made your country the world's leading power through their freedom, their sense of innovation, their taste for doubt, and their research, then we're going to welcome them," he said, as quoted in a report by The NY Post.

Besides criticizing Tesla CEO and world richest man Elon Musk, who has assumed a prominent role in the administration, Glucksmann also attacked right-wing members of the French parliament, whom he referred to as a President Trump "fan club."

FAQs

Why does a French lawmaker want the Statue of Liberty returned?
According to Raphaël Glucksmann, the United States no longer embodies the statue's ideals and has embraced authoritarian policies.

Is the Statue of Liberty actually being reclaimed?
No, this is simply a political statement. The statue remains a symbol of freedom in the United States.