French Politician Calls for Return of Statue of Liberty Over U.S. Policy Shifts

Raphaël Glucksmann argues the U.S. no longer embodies the values represented by the iconic gift from France.

French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann has suggested the Statue of Liberty be returned to France, citing a perceived departure by the U.S. from the values it symbolizes.
Glucksmann criticized the U.S. for reducing support for Ukraine and accused it of siding with authoritarian regimes under President Donald Trump's administration.
The politician also condemned cuts to U.S. research institutions and extended an invitation for dismissed researchers to relocate to France.
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, was gifted to the U.S. in 1886 to celebrate shared ideals of freedom and democracy.
Glucksmann's comments were made during a convention of his center-left Place Publique movement, drawing both support and controversy in France.