Key Points
French politician challenges US commitment to liberty
White House dismisses demand as politically motivated
Statue symbolizes historical Franco-American friendship
Diplomatic tension reveals deeper political disagreements
Glucksmann, a centre-left politician, recently stated that France should take back the iconic statue, arguing that the US no longer upholds the values that inspired France to gift the monument. His remarks were seen as a direct criticism of US President Donald Trump's policies, particularly regarding scientific freedom and international relations.
"Give us back the Statue of Liberty… We're going to tell the Americans, who have chosen to side with the tyrants and fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom -- 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty,'" Glucksmann said.
"We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently, you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home."
The statement sparked a sharp response from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the demand outright, ridiculing Glucksmann's political stature.
"Absolutely not. And 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.
The Statue of Liberty was presented in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. Created by French artist Auguste Bartholdi, it was a present from the people of France to the United States, representing the common values of freedom and democracy.
While Paris does have a smaller replica of the statue on an island in the Seine, Glucksmann's remarks were largely seen as a symbolic political statement rather than a genuine demand for its return.
A vocal critic of Trump, Glucksmann has strongly opposed the US President's shift in foreign policy, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine.
He has also condemned far-right leaders in France, accusing them of being "a fan club" for Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
