French Parliament member Raphaël Glucksmann has demanded that the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty to France, the country that gifted it to America in the 1880s. The comments were made at a convention of his political party, Place Publique, where he expressed frustration with Americans who he believes are not appreciating the significance of the iconic statue. Glucksmann criticized the U.S. for siding with tyrants, firing researchers demanding scientific freedom, and cutting federal funding to research institutions.
The Statue of Liberty was presented to America on July 4, 1884, and later unveiled in New York City on Oct. 28, 1886, by then-President Grover Cleveland. The statue, designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, stands at 305 feet tall and weighs about 450,000 pounds. A smaller replica of the statue is displayed in Paris on the Seine River, gifted by the U.S. to France in 1889 to mark 100 years since the French Revolution. Glucksmann’s call for the return of the Statue of Liberty highlights tensions between the U.S. and France over recent political and social issues.
Glucksmann, a strong supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, has criticized President Donald Trump for pulling back support for the country since February 2022. He also condemned Trump for cutting federal funding to American colleges and research institutions, a move that prompted a French initiative to attract researchers to France. Glucksmann expressed a desire to welcome researchers who have been let go in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of freedom, innovation, and research in advancing a country’s power and influence.
In addition to calling for the return of the Statue of Liberty, Glucksmann criticized right-wing members of the French Parliament for their support of Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, a senior advisor to Trump. He accused them of being a “fan club” for these individuals, aligning themselves with policies and actions that he believes are detrimental to scientific and academic progress. Glucksmann’s comments reflect broader concerns over the influence of populist and nationalist movements on global politics and the implications for democratic values and international relations.
The demand to return the Statue of Liberty to France underscores the symbolic significance of the statue as a representation of freedom, democracy, and friendship between nations. Glucksmann’s critique of American policies and actions aligns with broader debates over the direction of Western democracies and the role of leaders in shaping global relationships. By highlighting specific issues such as support for Ukraine, scientific freedom, and research funding, Glucksmann frames the return of the statue as a symbolic gesture reflecting broader concerns about values and priorities in international relations.
As tensions between France and the U.S. continue to simmer, the call for the return of the Statue of Liberty serves as a reminder of the complex history and ongoing challenges in transatlantic relations. Glucksmann’s outspoken criticism of American policies and actions reflects a broader unease with the current state of global affairs and highlights the need for open dialogue and cooperation between nations. Whether or not the demand for the return of the statue is taken seriously, it underscores deeper rifts and disagreements between allies that have far-reaching implications for the future of international diplomacy and cooperation.
