Overview

• French EU lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann called for the Statue of Liberty's return to France, citing a betrayal of its values under Donald Trump's leadership.
• Glucksmann criticized the US for aligning with authoritarian regimes and undermining scientific independence through researcher dismissals.
• The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in the late 19th century, symbolizes freedom and hope, particularly for immigrants entering the United States.
• The Trump administration rejected the demand, with a spokesperson calling Glucksmann an 'insignificant French politician' and highlighting the statue's importance to American identity.
• The debate has drawn international media attention but remains a symbolic critique, not an official stance of the French government.