French Politician Demands Statue of Liberty’s Return Amid U.S. Policy Critique

PARIS, France (AP) — A French member of the European Parliament called for the United States to return the Statue of Liberty, arguing that the U.S. no longer embodies the democratic values the statue represents. Raphaël Glucksmann made the comments during a convention for his political party, Place Publique, on March 17, 2025.

“Give us back the Statue of Liberty!” Glucksmann said, eliciting applause from the audience. He criticized U.S. President Donald Trump‘s recent decisions, including a suspension of military aid to Ukraine and cuts to scientific research funding, which he contended undermine American ideals.

“Some Americans have chosen to side with the tyrants,” Glucksmann asserted. “If you want to fire your best researchers and those who have made your country the world’s leading power, then we’re going to welcome them to France. The statue would be happier here with us.”

The Statue of Liberty, a 305-foot monument gifted to the U.S. by France in 1886, symbolizes freedom and hope. It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was unveiled on October 28 of that year in New York Harbor.

Glucksmann’s remarks were prompted by Trump’s approach to Ukraine, particularly his perceived alignment with Russian interests, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. During a diplomatic incident in February, Trump reportedly admonished Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his handling of negotiations, raising concerns in Europe about the U.S.’s commitment to its allies.

“Today, this land is ceasing to be what it was,” Glucksmann stated. He referenced the poem inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, Emma Lazarus‘s ‘The New Colossus,’ which emphasizes the statue’s role as a welcoming symbol for immigrants.

“Apparently, you despise it,” he remarked, addressing American leaders, implying that the values represented by the statue are not being upheld in the current U.S. political environment.

The gift of the statue was originally intended to commemorate the centennial of American independence, but it took over a decade to materialize due to various challenges, including funding and the Franco-Prussian War. Since its unveiling, it has become a symbol of American ideals, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Glucksmann’s speech reflects a growing discontent in Europe regarding U.S. foreign policy under Trump, especially in relation to Ukraine. He described Trump’s leadership style as authoritarian, and his party has expressed concern that the U.S. could abandon Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.

While Glucksmann’s call for the statue’s return may be seen as tongue-in-cheek, it resonates with a faction of the French public that feels the U.S. has strayed from the values that united both nations. The French government has distanced itself from his comments, focusing instead on diplomatic cooperation with the U.S.