Statue of Liberty standoff: US deflects French demands
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt advises the French to thank the Americans because, if not for US soldiers, they would be speaking German today. This is in response to demands from 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 demanded the return of the Statue of Liberty, asserting that President Trump's decisions contradict its values.
- The USA does not intend to return the Statue of Liberty. The White House spokeswoman refers to the German occupation and advises the French to thank the USA.
- The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the USA 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 at 14:00 GMT when asked directly if Donald Trump plans to return the Statue of Liberty, gifted in 1884, to France.
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," declared Leavitt on camera, referring to the German occupation of France during World War II and the role of the USA 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, claiming that Donald Trump's decisions are contrary to its 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 the leader of the French Social Democrats, speaking at a Sunday party convention.
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."
