French politician calls for Statue of Liberty to be returned

A French politician has demanded that the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty back to France.

"Return the statue since you apparently despise it"

The remarks were made by a French Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Raphaël Glucksmann, during a convention with his own party, the Socialists and Democrats alliance, according to Politico and France24.

Glucksmann was quoted as saying:

"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."

Politico reported that Glucksmann's comments could have been made in reference to a recent decision by the U.S. to pause aid to Ukraine while it is battling an invasion by Russia.

While aid has since resumed following a ceasefire proposal from Ukraine which Russia's President Vladimir Putin rejected, U.S. President Donald Trump's perceived soft stance on Russia, as well as his recent fiery meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have left Europe unsettled.

The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York City in 1886 and was a gift from France.

French politician also suggests France could benefit from U.S. cuts to research

Glucksmann also highlighted cuts by the Trump administration to U.S. research institution, which has already resulted in France starting an initiative to attract them, France24 further reported.

Following Trump's return to the White House, his administration has also slashed funding for federal research and attempted to dismiss federal staff working on health and climate research.

The politician was further quoted as saying:

"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.'"

Top photo by Pierre Blaché via Unsplash