French Politician's Statue of Liberty Remarks Criticize U.S. Policies

Raphaël Glucksmann's symbolic call to return the statue highlights tensions over the Trump administration's alignment with authoritarian regimes.

Raphaël Glucksmann, a French politician, suggested the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty as a critique of its perceived departure from democratic values.
The White House firmly rejected the idea, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasizing U.S. contributions to France during World War II.
Glucksmann clarified that his remarks were symbolic, aimed at highlighting concerns over the Trump administration's policies, including its stance on Ukraine.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the shared history and symbolism of the statue, gifted by France in 1886 to honor freedom and democracy.
Social media amplified the debate, with users fact-checking claims and revisiting historical ties between the two nations.