A French MEP has stated that France should reclaim the Statue of Liberty, arguing that the US no longer embodies the principles that inspired France to bestow the statue.
“Return the Statue of Liberty to us,” declared centre-left politician Raphael Glucksmann during a gathering of his Place Publique movement.
He addressed enthusiastic supporters, saying, “We will tell the Americans who have chosen to align with tyrants, to those who have dismissed researchers advocating for scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty!'”
“We gifted it to you, yet it seems you hold it in contempt. So it would be much better suited here at home,” he added.
Raphael Glucksmann
The statue was designed by the French artist Auguste Bartholdi.
There is a much smaller replica of the statue located on a petite island in the Seine River in Paris.
A dedicated advocate for Ukraine, Mr. Glucksmann has been vocal in his criticism of President Donald Trump’s drastic shifts in US policy regarding the conflict.
Additionally, he pointed out Trump’s reductions in funding for US research institutions, which have led to a French government initiative aimed at attracting some of those researchers to France.
“Furthermore, we say to Americans: ‘If you choose to let go of your top researchers, those who have driven your country’s innovation and greatness, we will welcome them here,'” Mr. Glucksmann continued.
Since Mr. Trump assumed the presidency again in January, his administration has slashed federal research budgets and attempted to lay off hundreds of personnel involved in health and climate research.
Mr. Glucksmann also took aim at far-right figures in France, accusing them of acting as a “fan club” for Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading the charge to reduce government spending.
