Whenever political tensions arise between France and the United States, the Statue of Liberty becomes an unexpected focal point of dispute.
Originally a gift from France symbolizing Franco-American friendship, the statue has now become a battleground for ideological clashes.
This time, it was French Member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann, known for his strong pro-Ukraine stance, who called for France to reclaim the Statue of Liberty.
His outrage stemmed from U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, which Glucksmann condemned as siding with a tyrant.
Glucksmann’s remarks sparked controversy after he accused the U.S. of betraying the values represented by the statue.
Speaking at a rally of his political movement, Place Publique, in Paris, he declared that America had lost its historical identity and no longer upheld the values of democracy and freedom.
His speech, met with applause from an audience of 1,500, quickly gained media traction.
He further argued that if the U.S. government continued to disregard the statue’s ideals, France should symbolically demand its return.
The White House swiftly responded, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the U.S. would "absolutely" not return the Statue of Liberty.
She went on to assert, "If it weren’t for American support in World War II, France would be speaking German today.
They should be grateful.
" She also dismissed Glucksmann as an "obscure politician.
" Despite the sharp rebuttal, the debate over the statue’s symbolism has triggered wider discussions about transatlantic relations under Trump’s presidency.
Glucksmann’s broader frustration was fueled by Trump’s abrupt suspension of military aid to Ukraine, a move that outraged European allies.
His call for the return of the statue was meant as a symbolic act of protest, not a literal demand.
Nevertheless, his remarks resonated widely in France, with some online commentators mocking the idea by suggesting that France should also demand a refund for the Louisiana Purchase.
Others took it further, jokingly reporting that Trump had ordered a helicopter evacuation of the statue back to its "original home" in Colmar, the birthplace of sculptor Auguste Bartholdi.
Despite the humor surrounding the controversy, Glucksmann’s argument is not entirely without significance.
The Statue of Liberty, while now an American icon, was born in France.
Designed by Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, the monument was constructed in Paris before being shipped in 350 pieces across the Atlantic.
It was gifted to the U.S. in 1886 to commemorate the centennial of American independence and celebrate Franco-American friendship.
Since then, it has stood as a symbol of liberty and democracy.
However, as Glucksmann pointed out, its ideals transcend national ownership.
"The statue belongs to everyone who believes in freedom," he remarked in a post on X.
His speech, which also criticized Trump’s cuts to federal research funding and the dismissal of climate and health scientists, was framed as part of a broader movement to resist what he calls the "global far-right alliance" led by Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen.
He urged Europeans to defend their democratic institutions and oppose rising authoritarianism.
While the notion of France reclaiming the Statue of Liberty remains a rhetorical exaggeration, the debate it has sparked reflects deeper anxieties about America's evolving role on the global stage.
Trump’s leadership has led to significant diplomatic rifts between the U.S. and its European allies.
The question remains: if the U.S. no longer wishes to uphold the principles embodied by the statue, who will take up its torch?
Glucksmann’s provocation, while dismissed by some as political theater, has reignited discussions about democracy, nationalism, and transatlantic relations.
Whether his warning will resonate beyond France remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty continues to hold global significance, even as its meaning is debated anew.