A recent statement by French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has stirred international attention, as he called for the return of the Statue of Liberty, suggesting that the United States no longer represents the values the statue was meant to symbolize. Glucksmann, a member of the political party Place Publique, voiced his concerns over the leadership of President Donald Trump, particularly regarding the administration’s policies on Ukraine and education. According to Glucksmann, “America has lost its way” and no longer embodies the ideals of freedom, democracy, and innovation that the statue once represented.
Glucksmann’s comments were made in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, where he criticized Trump’s decisions, including his handling of Ukraine’s position within the ongoing war and his cuts to the education department. “We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,'” Glucksmann declared. “We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home,” he added.
The proposal was met with applause from the audience, signaling growing discontent among European leaders and citizens, especially in the wake of the tense moments between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House. Glucksmann’s words reflect a broader European frustration with what they perceive as a departure from American leadership in global affairs, particularly in its response to the war in Ukraine.
In addition to his call for the statue’s return, Glucksmann also addressed the potential impact of the Trump administration’s job cuts. “The second thing we’re going to say to the Americans is: ‘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,’” he said. This sentiment underscores Glucksmann’s belief that the United States is losing the intellectual and innovative spirit that made it a world leader, and that Europe is willing to offer refuge to those affected by the administration’s decisions.
The discussion comes at a time when NATO, in response to Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, has been strengthening its military preparedness. The alliance has formulated plans to defend Europe, with up to 300,000 troops from Western countries, including the United States, positioned to move to Europe’s eastern flank within 30 days. However, U.S. priorities in terms of military support have been questioned, with the Trump administration emphasizing that Europe should take on more responsibility for its own security. According to reports, the Trump administration warned that U.S. focus must shift elsewhere, suggesting that European nations must take care of their own defense.
This shift in priorities has been met with some concern in Europe, where leaders are grappling with the challenge of mobilizing adequate military resources. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could be capable of launching an attack on European soil as early as 2030. Despite increasing defense budgets, European nations have struggled to fully ramp up military readiness and defense industry production in time to address potential threats.
As tensions continue to rise on both sides of the Atlantic, Glucksmann’s comments reflect the deep divide between European and American political ideologies, particularly under the Trump administration. His call for the return of the Statue of Liberty serves as a powerful reminder of the values that both nations once shared and the ongoing struggles over what those values should represent in the modern world.
