A French politician has sparked international debate after suggesting that the United States no longer represents the values symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, and that France should reclaim the historic monument. The remark prompted a swift and pointed response from the White House, igniting a discussion on US-France relations and historical gratitude.
French Politician Questions US Values
During a recent White House press briefing, a journalist referenced the statement made by Raphaël Glucksmann, a French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and co-president of the center-left Place Publique party.
The politician reportedly claimed that the US has drifted away from the ideals represented by the Statue of Liberty, which was gifted to America by France in 1886 as a symbol of freedom and democracy.
The journalist then asked whether President Donald Trump would consider returning the statue to France in light of this criticism.
US Press Secretary’s Strong Response
Dismissing the suggestion outright, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a sharp response, saying: "Absolutely not, and my advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now, so they should be very grateful to our great country."
The comment, referencing the US military’s role in liberating France from Nazi Germany during World War II, underlined the historical ties between the two nations while also reinforcing America’s stance on the matter.
Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of Friendship and Freedom
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, was presented to the US as a gift from France to commemorate the centennial of American independence and to symbolize the shared values of liberty and democracy. Since then, it has stood in New York Harbor, serving as a beacon for immigrants and a representation of freedom worldwide.
