Raphaël Glucksmann demands the return of the Statue of Liberty from the USA

DER SPIEGEL Raphaël Glucksmann demands the return of the Statue of Liberty from the USA 52 million • 2 minutes read Raphaël Glucksmann is considered a supporter of Ukraine and sharply criticizes US President Trump's policies. The French MEP now wants a legendary symbol of the USA returned: "Apparently, you despise it." Raphaël Glucksmann demands the return of the Statue of Liberty from the USA French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann has called on the USA to return the Statue of Liberty to France. He criticized recent political developments since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The United States has "decided to side with the tyrants," Glucksmann said on Sunday. He spoke to around 1,500 delegates at the party conference of his center-left party, Place Publique (PP). France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States at the end of the 19th century to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The 46-meter-high copper statue, with its seven-pointed crown and gilded torch in its hand, towers over New York Harbor. It embodied the hope of a better life for millions of immigrants who once waited on neighboring Ellis Island for entry into the United States. For Glucksmann, this doesn't fit with Trump's current policies. Among other things, the US president is cracking down on immigrants. Since his inauguration on January 20, thousands of migrants have been arrested and deported to their countries of origin. The US rapprochement with Russia over the war in Ukraine is also likely the backdrop for Glucksmann's demand. The Socialist Party's lead candidate in the last European elections is considered a strong supporter of Ukraine and has strongly criticized the US president's policies. In his speech on Sunday, Glucksmann also addressed the Trump administration's dismissal of researchers who had insisted on their independence. He underscored his demand for the return of the symbolic statue, saying, "We gave it to you, but apparently you despise it."