French demand the Statue of Liberty's return amid political clash
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, advises the French to be grateful to the Americans, suggesting that without US soldiers, they would be speaking German today. This statement comes in response to French politician Raphaël Glucksmann, who is calling for the return of the Statue of Liberty.
What do you need to know?
- French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has called for the return of the Statue of Liberty, arguing that President Trump's actions contradict its values.
- The USA does not intend to return the Statue of Liberty. The White House press secretary references the German occupation and reminds the French to be grateful to the USA.
- The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the USA in 1884, symbolising friendship between the two nations.
- Absolutely not - replied White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during Monday's press conference when asked directly, whether Donald Trump intends to return the Statue of Liberty given by France in 1884.
The USA will not return the Statue of Liberty to France
- My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now, so they should be very grateful to our great country - stated Leavitt on-camera, referencing the German occupation of France during World War II and the USA’s role in liberating Paris.
The White House press secretary responded to comments by French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, which have made headlines worldwide. The politician is demanding the return of the Statue of Liberty, claiming that Donald Trump’s actions contradict its symbolic values.
- 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" - said one of the leaders of the French Social Democrats, speaking at the party convention on Sunday.
Glucksmann's party released a statement on their website, emphasising that Trump governs in an "authoritarian" fashion and is "preparing to deliver Ukraine to Russia on a silver platter".
