Raphael Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament, has asked the United States to return the Statue of Liberty to France.
“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home,” Glucksmann said at a rally on March 16.
The following day, Glucksmann took to X to elaborate. He criticized Trump for being a “friend of Putin” and for “firing researchers for using banned words.”
“This America, faithful to the wonderful words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, your America, is worth so much more than the betrayal of Ukraine and Europe, xenophobia, or obscurantism,” Glucksmann wrote on X. “It is precisely because I am petrified by Trumps betrayal that I said yesterday in a rally that we could symbolically take back the Statue of Liberty if your government despised everything it symbolizes in your eyes, ours, and those of the world.”
He clarified that he did not mean to literally take the Statue of Liberty. Instead, it was meant as a symbolic action.
“No one, of course, will come and steal the Statue of Liberty. The statue is yours. But what it embodies belongs to everyone. And if the free world no longer interests your government, then we will take up the torch, here in Europe,” Glucksmann said.
All of this leads me to my conclusion: I’m not a fan of this action from the French. It’s petty, mean and overall done in bad taste. The French are masters of the “je ne sais quoi” attitude, but this is a bad take.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of the French. I’m even majoring in French here at OU. Right now, I’m currently taking a 19th Century French Literature class … in French. Nothing says appreciation like reading “Les Misérables” in its original text. I will relentlessly defend the French, despite claims of snootiness, because I love the culture, the people and mainly the smelly cheese.
But asking for the Statue of Liberty back 140 years later? That’s just bad taste. Let’s break down some of the information that has led me to this conclusion.
You can’t ask for a gift back
Firstly, it’s a gift. You can’t ask for a gift back — that ruins the whole point of a gift. For context, in 1885, the U.S. received the Statue of Liberty from the people of France. This gift was meant as a symbol between the two countries of shared values of liberty and freedom.
It’s been too long
Secondly, it’s been too long. It’s been 140 years, and the expiration date is far past. I’m not going to ask my second grade best friend for the nail polish I gifted her back. It’s been too long, and the ship has sailed.
The French have no business asking for things back
So now France wants to discuss rightful ownership? Let’s discuss some history. The French are the last people who should be asking for things back, especially in the context of colonialism, artifacts, art and statues. Although some strides have been made in returning African art, there’s still a lot of progress to be made.
Let’s talk about the Louvre. Only 66% of the collection is comprised of French artists. Italy has asked for the Mona Lisa back — probably the most iconic work of art in the Louvre created by an Italian. If we’re playing the “give it back” game, France has to prepare for some awkward conversations.
It’s the Statue of Liberty!
Lastly, it’s the Statue of Liberty. She’s iconic and she’s quite literally the symbol of our country. She’s as American as Costco hot dogs, a Big Gulp from 7-Eleven on a sunny day, salty McDonald’s fries, Route 66, national parks, fireworks on the Fourth of July and Dolly Parton. Taking her away would be blasphemous.
She’s welcomed over 12 million immigrants to America. After crossing miles on the Atlantic, this was the first image immigrants from the old world saw — her torch symbolizing a new life and a welcome.
Sure, we can get into a debate about American ideals, immigration policy or the politics of the Trump administration, but honestly, I think the Statue of Liberty should be left out of this.
The French may not agree with our politics (honestly, neither do I some of the time), but they’re a whole ocean away. It’s not their place to ask for her back.
I could be really mean and bring up GDPs (France’s annual GDP in 2024 was around $3.2 trillion, while the U.S. had a GDP of $29 trillion — about nine times more). But I’m choosing to be kind and not be an economic bully today.
Despite this heated exchange, I’ll still eat my pain au chocolat and probably laugh about this in months to come.
