‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty’: Glucksmann’s cry against Trump’s America

French socialist Raphaël Glucksmann harshly criticises the United States, accusing it of no longer representing the values of freedom that led France to donate the Statue of Liberty in 1886. And he calls for the symbol to be returned

French socialist Raphaël Glucksmann has launched a harsh attack on the United States, provocatively demanding the return of the Statue of Liberty. According to the MEP and founder of the Place Publique movement, the United States, under the presidency of Donald Trump, no longer represents the values of freedom and democracy that prompted France to donate the famous monument.

During a convention of his movement, Glucksmann declared: ‘To the Americans who have chosen to side with tyrants, who dismiss researchers for demanding scientific freedom, we will say: give us back the Statue of Liberty’. The MEP’s words reflect a growing disillusionment with US policy, especially with the radical change of approach on the war in Ukraine and the cuts to research institutions that, according to Glucksmann, have weakened the US.

A symbol of freedom

The Statue of Liberty, unveiled in New York harbour on 28 October 1886 to celebrate the centenary of the American Declaration of Independence, was donated by France as a symbol of friendship and the values of freedom and equality shared by the two nations. Designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, it has been one of the world’s most recognisable symbols ever since.

Paris has its own copy of the statue, albeit on a smaller scale, located on an island in the Seine. Glucksmann suggested that, in light of recent US policies, France could take back the original: ‘We gave it to you, but you seem to despise it. So it will do just fine here at home,’ he added in a polemical tone.

Defender of scientific freedom

In addition to his criticism of the American attitude towards Ukraine, Glucksmann targeted Trump’s desired cuts to US research institutions, an issue that has already led the French government to try to attract the best American researchers to France. ‘If you want to fire your best scientists, those who through their freedom and sense of innovation have made your country a world power, we will gladly welcome them,’ Glucksmann concluded.

His proposal, while mainly symbolic, is a critical reflection on the current state of relations between France and the United States and how the founding values of freedom can be perceived and defended in today’s world.

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