The White House has firmly declined a proposal from French politician Raphaël Glucksmann to return the Statue of Liberty to France. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the U.S. should be thanked for ensuring France isn’t speaking German, alluding to American support in World War II.
Glucksmann’s request stemmed from critical remarks about America’s current alignment under Trump and the dismissal of scientists advocating for scientific freedom. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has dismissed many scientists and cut research funding, potentially jeopardizing the research sector. Glucksmann proposed that France could take in U.S. researchers if funding isn’t restored.
However, it’s uncertain how France could compel the U.S. to return the statue, and such actions could negatively impact diplomatic relations, which French President Macron is keen to improve, especially in the context of brokering peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
