French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Raphaël Glucksmann has sparked a controversial debate, suggesting that the United States should return the Statue of Liberty to France. Nearly 140 years after it was gifted to America, Glucksmann argues that the statue no longer symbolizes the values it was meant to represent, due to the United States’ current political climate.
The Statue of Liberty, originally a gift from France to the United States in 1886, was designed by artist Auguste Bartholdi and intended as a symbol of liberty, justice, and democracy. However, Glucksmann claims that the US government no longer upholds these ideals, referencing policies such as mass deportations and cuts to scientific research funding under former President Donald Trump.
Glucksmann’s remarks were especially pointed, saying: “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.’” He further criticized the Trump administration’s stance on research and its treatment of those working in science, arguing that France could offer a more welcoming environment for such individuals.
The Statue of Liberty’s association with welcoming immigrants, exemplified by the famous poem “The New Colossus,” seems to clash with current US immigration and political policies, which is central to Glucksmann’s argument for the statue’s return. As tensions rise, this statement has sparked international discussions on the meaning and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty in today’s political context.
This remark is part of broader critiques by Glucksmann regarding American policies, including a veiled jab at Trump’s relationship with right-wing figures like Elon Musk. The debate continues to evolve, with supporters and detractors from both sides weighing in on the symbol’s future.
