Raphael Glucksmann, a member of France’s Place Publique party, has demanded that the United States return the Statue of Liberty, accusing it of siding with “tyrants.”
Europe has been negatively impacted by President Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Russia, with many accusing Trump of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine in ceasefire negotiations, according to Newsweek.
Trump temporarily withdrew military aid and intelligence from Ukraine after an argument between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28th at the White House.
Glucksmann scolded the U.S. for shifting values and urged the Americans to return the statue, which was presented to the U.S. in 1884 as a gift to commemorate the alliance between the two countries.
“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 stated, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Statue of Liberty, New York City’s iconic landmark; Photo Credit: DAPD and Pixer
“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home,” he added.
He also slams far-right leaders, particularly those in France, accusing them of being a “fan club” for Trump and Elon Musk.
The Statue of Liberty is New York City’s as well as the United States most iconic landmark. According to the Statue of Liberty website, the statue represents “freedom” and “democracy” and was designated as a National Monument in 1924.