Statue of Liberty debate: White House hits back at French demand
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt advises the French to thank the Americans because they would be speaking German today if not for U.S. soldiers. This is in response to demands from French politician Raphaël Glucksmann, who is calling for the return of the Statue of Liberty.
What you need to know
- French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has demanded the return of the Statue of Liberty, asserting that President Trump's decisions are contrary to its values.
- The U.S. does not intend to return the Statue of Liberty. The White House spokesperson refers to the German occupation and advises the French to thank the U.S.
- The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the U.S. by France in 1884 as a symbol of friendship between the nations.
"Absolutely not," responded White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Monday press conference when asked if Donald Trump plans to return the Statue of Liberty, gifted in 1884, to France.
The U.S. 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," declared Leavitt on camera, referring to the German occupation of France during World War II and the role of the U.S. in liberating Paris.
The White House spokesperson addressed the words of French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, who made headlines worldwide. The politician is demanding the return of the Statue of Liberty and claiming that Donald Trump's decisions contradict its values.
The leader of the French Social Democrats, speaking at a party convention on Sunday, declared that Americans who support tyrants should return the Statue of Liberty. He emphasized that while France originally gifted the monument, it now seems unappreciated.
Glucksmann's party posted a statement on its website, emphasizing that Trump exercises power in an "authoritarian" manner and "is preparing to deliver Ukraine to Russia on a silver platter."
