A French member of the European Parliament, Raphael Glucksmann, has taken a bold swipe at the United States under President Donald Trump and called for the return of the Statue of Liberty, which France gave to America.
“We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’” Glucksmann told supporters of his center-left Place Publique party on Sunday.
“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home,” he continued, referring to the iconic landmark that was dedicated in New York Harbor in 1886 to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. His remarks drew cheers from the crowd.
Glucksmann also claimed that America no longer values the Statue of Liberty, which was a gift from the French people.
He also addressed U.S.-based scientists affected by Elon Musk’s cuts to federally backed research programs, stating, “If you want to fire your best researchers—those who, through their freedom, innovation, and pursuit of knowledge, helped make your country the world’s leading power—then we’re going to welcome them.”
The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886, as a gift from the French people to America. It was designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi.
