'Absolutely not': US after French politician says Statue Of Liberty should be returned

The Statue of Liberty was presented in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886

After French politician Raphael Glucksmann suggested that the United States should return the Statue of Liberty to France, the White House rejected the suggestion.

"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,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavit.

Politicians in France are asking for the Statue of Liberty BACK.Karoline Leavitt chose VIOLENCE:"I would like to remind France that it's only because of the USA that the French are not speaking German right now. So they should be very grateful to our great countryWOW. pic.twitter.com/PuG864VYj1

Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 17, 2025

Glucksmann, a centre-left member of the European Parliament, made the remark at a political convention of his Place Publique movement. According to him, the USA no longer upholds the values that inspired France to gift the monument.

"Give us back the Statue of Liberty... We're going to tell the Americans, who have chosen to side with the tyrants and fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom -- 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty,'" Glucksmann said. "We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently, you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home."

In 1865, Frenchman Édouard de Laboulaye proposed the idea of presenting a monumental gift from the people of France to the people of the United States.

An ardent supporter of America, Laboulaye wished to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence as well as celebrate the close relationship between France and America.  The Statue of Liberty was presented in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886. It was created by French artist Auguste Bartholdi.

Meanwhile, Glucksmann has strongly opposed US President Donald Trump's shift in foreign policy, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine.

He has also condemned far-right leaders in France, accusing them of being "a fan club" for Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

Glucksmann also slammed Trump's mass layoffs of federal workers, particularly researchers. More than 100,000 workers lost their jobs under the Trump administration.

"If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to fire all the people who, through their freedom and their sense of innovation, their taste for doubt and research, have made your country the world's leading power, then we're going to welcome them," Glucksmann said.