A French Member of the European Parliament, Raphaël Glucksmann, has sparked controversy by calling for the return of the Statue of Liberty to France, arguing that the United States no longer upholds the values that inspired its gift.
During a political convention in Paris on Sunday, Glucksmann, leader of the center-left Place Publique movement, made an impassioned statement directed at the U.S. government. “Give us back the Statue of Liberty,” he declared before an enthusiastic crowd.
“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.”
The Statue of Liberty was gifted by the people of France and officially unveiled in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886, as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Glucksmann claims that recent political shifts in the U.S. undermine these principles.
A vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s administration, Glucksmann has condemned the American government’s withdrawal of support for Ukraine, as well as significant cuts to research funding, which he views as an attack on scientific freedom.
“The Americans have chosen to side with tyrants, to fire researchers for demanding scientific independence. If you want to dismiss your best minds—those who have made your country the world’s leading power—then we will welcome them here in France.”
Since Trump returned to office in January 2025, his administration has slashed federal funding for research institutions, particularly in health and climate sciences. These moves have prompted France to launch initiatives aimed at attracting displaced American researchers.
Glucksmann’s speech also aimed at the French far-right, accusing its members of being a “fan club” for Trump and his close ally, billionaire Elon Musk, who currently leads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
While the idea of reclaiming the Statue of Liberty is largely symbolic, it underscores growing tensions between European leaders and the current U.S. administration led by Donald Trump.
Paris already houses a smaller replica of the statue on the Seine River, but for Glucksmann and his supporters, bringing the original back to France would send a powerful message about the values of liberty and democracy.
So far, there has been no official response from the U.S. government regarding the demand.