French leader demands US return Statue of Liberty
In this DML Report…
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a sharp rebuke to French Member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann during a press briefing on March 17, after he demanded the return of the Statue of Liberty to France. Glucksmann, a lefty politician from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, argued that the United States no longer upholds the values symbolized by the statue, particularly citing the Trump administration’s policies on Ukraine. Leavitt dismissed Glucksmann as a “low-level French politician” and emphasized America’s historical role in World War II, stating, “It’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,” as a defense against his critique.
Glucksmann’s demand stemmed from his frustration with U.S. foreign policy, particularly the Trump administration’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine and its perceived alignment with authoritarian leaders. Speaking at a convention of his political party, Place Publique, he declared, “We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants… ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty.’” He further suggested that France would welcome the statue back, along with any U.S. scientists who felt exiled by the administration’s policies. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the U.S. in 1884 to celebrate American independence and the alliance between the two nations, has long symbolized freedom and democracy, making Glucksmann’s remarks a pointed critique of current U.S. leadership.
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Leavitt’s response not only rejected Glucksmann’s demand but also highlighted the impracticality and diplomatic implications of such a move, noting that the statue is U.S. government property. Her comments also drew attention to the broader context of strained U.S.-French relations, as French President Emmanuel Macron has been working to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, efforts complicated by U.S. policy shifts. Glucksmann’s call, while symbolic, reflects broader European concerns about the Trump administration’s foreign policy, particularly its impact on Ukraine, and underscores ongoing tensions in transatlantic relations.
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