French Politician Urges US to Return Statue of Liberty Over Allegiance to ‘Tyrants’

French Politician Urges US to Return Statue of Liberty Over Allegiance to ‘Tyrants’

A French lawmaker has demanded that the United States hand back the Statue of Liberty, arguing that certain American leaders have “chosen to switch to the side of the tyrants.”

Raphaël Glucksmann, a European Parliament member representing the left-wing Place Publique party, made these remarks while addressing a rally on Sunday.

“Give us back the Statue of Liberty,” Glucksmann declared. “It was our gift to you. But apparently you despise her.”

The iconic statue, gifted by France as a symbol of friendship, was inaugurated in 1886. Representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, it holds a torch in its right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the US Declaration of Independence in its left. Hidden beneath the statue’s robes are broken chains, signifying freedom from oppression and servitude.

Reacting to Glucksmann’s statements, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly dismissed his remarks on Monday.

“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, so they should be very grateful to our great country,” she said.

In response, Glucksmann took to X and Instagram to clarify his stance.

He reiterated his “eternal” appreciation for the American soldiers who fought against the Nazis in World War II but contrasted that legacy with US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic approach toward Russia and his confrontations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“The America of these heroes fought against tyrants, it did not flatter them. It was the enemy of fascism, not the friend of Putin. It helped the resistance and didn’t attack Zelensky,” he wrote.

Glucksmann further elaborated on his symbolic call to return the statue, emphasizing that his concern stemmed from what he perceives as a betrayal of its values.

“It is precisely because I am petrified by Trumps (sic) betrayal that I said yesterday in a rally that we could symbolically take back the Statue of Liberty if your government despised everything it symbolizes in your eyes, ours, and those of the world,” said Glucksmann.

“No one, of course, will come and steal the Statue of Liberty. The statue is yours. But what it embodies belongs to everyone,” he stated.

“And if the free world no longer interests your government, then we will take up the torch, here in Europe.”

Glucksmann serves as co-president of the Place Publique party, which currently occupies three seats in the European Parliament, along with a presence in both the French Parliament and Senate.

Despite the party’s modest size, Glucksmann has been gaining prominence in French media, featuring in a detailed interview with political magazine Le Nouvel Obs on March 5, where he stressed the need for European nations to increase defense spending in response to shifting US foreign policy priorities.

Speculation has also been growing that Glucksmann may launch a presidential bid for the 2027 election.