Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the center-left Place Publique party in France, demanded on Sunday that the United States return the Statue of Liberty, accusing it of siding with “tyrants.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment by email on Sunday evening.
The Context
Europe has negatively responded to President Donald Trump‘s approach to Ukraine and Russia amid their ongoing war, with many accusing Trump of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine in ceasefire negotiations. Initial talks excluded Ukraine, with Trump insisting that Kyiv had “no cards” to play in negotiations.
Matters came to a head when Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an explosive argument in front of reporters during an Oval Office press gaggle on February 28, which resulted in the U.S. temporarily withdrawing military aid and intelligence from Ukraine.
Russia has long been viewed by Republicans and Democrats as an adversary of the U.S. whereas Ukraine is an ally. U.S. allies in Europe have also raised alarms over Trump’s stance toward Ukraine and Russia.
What To Know
Glucksmann, a staunch defender of Ukraine, spoke at a party convention and took time to scold the U.S. for what he viewed as a shifting position on values.
“Give us back the Statue of Liberty,” he said, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP). “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.’”
He added: “We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home.”
France presented the U.S. with the Statue of Liberty in 1884 as a gift to commemorate the alliance between the two countries. The statue was disassembled and shipped aboard the French Navy vessel Isère and it arrived in 1885 where it was “met with great fanfare,” according to the National Parks Service. The entire structure was finished in 1886.
The statue, which is in New York, has since become an icon of freedom and of the United States.
“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,’” Glucksmann said Sunday.
The slam against the U.S. was part of a wider attack on far-right leaders, particularly those in France, accusing them of being a “fan club” for Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk.
Musk has led efforts to reduce the scope and spending of the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an unofficial agency created through executive order. Glucksmann took issue with this, accusing Musk of hitting hundreds of workers related to health and climate research.
Meanwhile, Trump also withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement mere hours after taking office again in January through executive order. The move is part of Trump’s wider effort to create energy dominance and self-sufficiency in the U.S.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Saturday posted on Truth Social: “I am pleased to inform you that General Keith Kellogg has been appointed Special Envoy to Ukraine. General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President Zelenskyy, and Ukrainian leadership. He knows them well, and they have a very good working relationship together. Congratulations to General Kellogg!”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in part on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: “After the talks in Jeddah and the American proposal for a ceasefire on the frontline, Russia stole almost another week – a week of war that only Russia wants.”
He added: “We will do everything to further intensify diplomacy. We will do everything to make diplomacy effective. But every day now is about defending our independence, our state, and our people. We must remember – it is the support of our army, all our defense and security forces, and our state that determines everything.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday, per Russian news agency Tass: “You must have heard the important statement that President Putin made yesterday. He said in response to questions from reporters that he backed Trump’s position on the settlement. This is why, even though there is still a lot to be done, the president sided with Mr. Trump’s stance.”
What Happens Next?
Trump and Putin reportedly will look to speak this week, while the administration continues to ponder the contours of a deal with Ukraine that will create economic security guarantees by granting the U.S. access to vital rare earth minerals within the country.
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