The White House firmly responded with a clear "absolutely not" to the request to repatriate the Statue of Liberty to France. Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for Donald Trump, emphasized that this iconic statue is the property of the United States government.
The request to return the iconic monument was made by Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and co-chair of Public Place, a leftist party in France. He expressed his discontent and stated that the United States was despising the gift that was the Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of Franco-American friendship, was a gift to mark the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence. However, due to historical and financial circumstances, its construction and transportation were carried out with the cooperation of both nations.
Despite Glucksmann's request, it is unlikely that France will support his claim to repatriate the Statue of Liberty. Relations between France and the United States are delicate, with President Emmanuel Macron trying to maintain a balance between cooperating with Trump and opposing some of his decisions, such as tariffs.
Glucksmann's party, Public Place, has been particularly critical of the Trump administration, accusing it of exercising power in an authoritarian manner. Citing poet Emma Lazarus, Glucksmann emphasized that the statue symbolizes the welcoming of those seeking freedom.
In summary, both the White House and France have made their positions clear regarding the Statue of Liberty, a monument that symbolizes a deep friendship between two nations.
