French politician Raphael Glucksmann has called on the United States to return the Statue of Liberty to France, arguing that America no longer upholds the values it was meant to represent. Speaking at a political convention for his center-left party, Glucksmann criticized Donald Trump’s policies, including trade tariffs on European goods, cuts to research funding, and his approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Glucksmann stated that France gifted the statue to symbolize freedom and democracy, but claimed that under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. had turned away from those ideals. He sarcastically suggested that if America no longer values liberty, the statue would be “just fine at home” in France. His remarks followed Trump’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on European steel and aluminum, leading to retaliatory tariffs from the European Union.
The French politician also extended an invitation to American scientists and researchers affected by Trump’s funding cuts, saying France would welcome them. He accused the U.S. of sidelining intellectuals and researchers who have historically contributed to the country’s success, arguing that Europe could now benefit from their talents.
While Glucksmann’s comments were largely symbolic, they reflect growing tensions between the U.S. and European leaders over trade, international policy, and political ideology. The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France in 1885, remains an enduring symbol of American ideals, making his remarks particularly pointed in the ongoing debate about the state of democracy in the U.S.
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