The Trump administration firmly dismissed a French politician’s request to return the Statue of Liberty to France, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “Absolutely not,” according to Politico.
During a press briefing on Monday, Leavitt suggested that the unnamed French politician should be grateful to the United States, referencing the historical alliance between the two nations during World War II.
It’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now.
The statement came in response to remarks made by Raphaël Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament, who argued that the US under the Trump administration no longer embodies the values represented by the Statue of Liberty. The monument, gifted by France to the US in the 1880s, symbolises American independence from Great Britain and the abolition of slavery.
Glucksmann criticised the Trump administration for siding with “tyrants” and for purging thousands of scientists and public health leaders, as well as slashing research grants. He suggested that if the US does not restore the positions and funds, France would be willing to absorb America’s research sector.
However, the Statue of Liberty is the property of the US government, and France has no legal means to reclaim it. Moreover, such a move could strain diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The White House’s response underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to maintaining its national symbols and rejecting external criticism of its policies. The exchange highlights the growing tensions between the US and some European allies over issues ranging from scientific freedom to international diplomacy.
