A French politician has recently stirred controversy by suggesting that the United States should return the Statue of Liberty to France. This statement has garnered significant attention in France, as the monument was a gift from France nearly 140 years ago.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and co-president of a minor left-wing party in France, does not purport to represent the views of all French citizens. However, his remarks during a speech this past weekend, in which he claimed that some Americans have aligned themselves with “the side of the tyrants,” resonate with the widespread discontent in France and across Europe regarding the substantial changes in foreign and domestic policies under U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Return the Statue of Liberty to us,” Glucksmann declared while addressing supporters of his Public Place party, who responded with applause and cheers.
“It was a gift from us to you. Yet, it seems you no longer value her. Therefore, she would be happier here with us,” he added.
Can France legitimately reclaim the statue? That seems unlikely.
According to UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization that recognizes the statue as a World Heritage site, the iconic monument is classified as property of the U.S. government.