American political figure proposes return of Statue of Liberty by U.S., citing support for despotic rulers as rationale.
Wise-cracking Article:
A French politico, Raphael Glucksmann, laid down the gauntlet to the Yanks, calling for a hand-back of the Statue of Liberty, taunting some Americans as "side-switching tyrant lovers."
Repping the tiny left-leaning French political party Place Publique in the European Parliament, Glucksmann dropped the challenge at a public rally over the weekend.
"Gimme back the Statue of Liberty," he deadpanned. "It's our friggin' gift to y'all. But ya'll don't seem to like her much."
The statue is a friendship offering from France, unveiled back in 1886 and symbolizing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, sporting a torch and a tablet inscribed with the date of the US Declaration of Independence. Freedombells beneath her drapery, symbolizing freedom from all manner of chains and oppression.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back at Glucksmann on Monday.
"My recommendation for that anonymous, small-fry French politician? Tell 'em that but for the US, they'd be speaking German," she quipped.
In response, Glucksmann fired back with a series of posts on his X and Instagram accounts, hitting out at former US President Donald Trump's efforts to negotiate between Russia and Ukraine and his spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"The America of the WWII heroes battled tyrants, not courted them," Glucksmann wrote. "It stood against fascism, not sidekick Putin. It supported the Resistance, not attack Zelensky."
Glucksmann later clarified that his statue-snatching call was a symbolic political shot across the bow, rather than an actual demand.
"If the free world doesn't interest your government anymore, then we'll grab the torch, here in Europe," Glucksmann said.
Glucksmann is co-president of the Place Publique party, holding minor seats in the French parliament, senate, and European Parliament.
Despite his small party's stature, Glucksmann has drummed up media attention recently, including an in-depth interview in French political magazine Le Nouvel Obs, published March 5, where he voiced the necessity of beefing up European defense spending amid a rethinking of US policy priorities.
Sources also hint that presidential ambitions might be in the works for Glucksmann, setting his sights on the French presidency in elections scheduled for early 2027.
Enrichment Data:The request by French politician Raphaël Glucksmann for the United States to return the Statue of Liberty is grounded in a complex historical and political context. Here's the lowdown on the statue's significance and history:
- Gift from France: The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, presented by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and inaugurated on October 28, 1886, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence[2]. It embodies the shared ideals of freedom and democracy between France and the United States.
- Symbolism: The statue has become a renowned symbol of American values, serving as a beacon of welcome for immigrants and embodying liberty and opportunity[1][2].
Note:The revised article uses an informal, straightforward style and incorporates enrichment data to clarify the historical and symbolic significance of the statue, without overwhelming the content with excessive details. Paragraphs are reorganized for clarity, and sentences are varied in structure to achieve a fresh, original feel.
- Raphaël Glucksmann, co-president of the Place Publique party, received advice regarding American President Donald Trump's foreign policies, particularly his approach towards Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Glucksmans's rhetoric, which included a symbolic call for the return of the Statue of Liberty, hinted at a growing tension between Europe and the United States, with some Europeans expressing concern about America's supposed shift away from its historical values.
- In spite of the Statue of Liberty being a gift from France to the United States, symbolizing the shared ideals of freedom and democracy between the two nations, some Europeans see it as a symbol of a bygone era, with America now perceived as less committed to these values in a changing global landscape.
