Overview

• French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann suggested the Statue of Liberty be returned to France, citing the U.S.'s perceived abandonment of shared democratic values.
• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the idea, stating France should be grateful for U.S. contributions during World War II, sparking criticism online.
• A fabricated transcript of the press briefing falsely depicted a heated exchange between Leavitt and a reporter, which has been debunked by fact-checkers.
• Glucksmann emphasized Franco-American historical ties, highlighting France's role in the American Revolution and criticizing the Trump administration's policies on Ukraine, immigration, and science.
• Social media users and a 'Community Note' on X provided historical context about France's contributions to U.S. independence, challenging Leavitt's remarks.