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For over 130 years, the Statue of Liberty has stood tall on Liberty Island — one of the most iconic symbols of freedom and democracy in the world.

But fun fact: she wasn’t made in the USA. The statue was actually a gift from France, sent over in 1884 to mark 100 years since the Declaration of Independence and to celebrate the friendship between the two nations.

Now, that friendship is being tested.

French politician Raphaël Glucksmann recently made waves by saying that if Americans “despise the values of freedom,” maybe it’s time they gave the statue back. Yep — he actually suggested it should return to France.

That one comment set off a political firestorm across the Atlantic. Suddenly, Lady Liberty — the ultimate symbol of American ideals — is at the center of a heated international debate.

The French Say: Give It Back

At a rally in Paris, Glucksmann — leader of the left-wing Place Publique party — slammed U.S. politics, especially Donald Trump and how he’s handled the war in Ukraine. He argued that cutting support for Kyiv goes against everything the Statue of Liberty stands for.

“We will say to Americans who have chosen to side with tyrants: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’” Glucksmann told the crowd. He added that the U.S. now “despises” the statue and the values it represents.

He didn’t stop there — Glucksmann also took a jab at the state of American science, claiming the U.S. is firing researchers who stand up for academic freedom. “If you want to get rid of your best scientists, we’ll gladly take them,” he said.

White House: Thanks, But No Thanks

The response from Washington was swift. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed Glucksmann as “an unknown little French politician” and fired back with a sharp reminder: without American help in WWII, France might be speaking German today.

She also made it clear that the Statue of Liberty isn’t going anywhere. “It was a gift, not a loan,” Leavitt said. “Maybe the French should thank us for our support instead of making ridiculous demands.”

Trump, Ukraine, and the Clash of Values

Trump didn’t weigh in personally, but his track record speaks for itself. As president, he cut military aid to Ukraine and often suggested the US should steer clear of European conflicts — a stance that’s drawn heavy criticism from French leaders.

Some, like Senator Claude Malhuret, didn’t hold back. He compared Trump’s administration to “the court of Nero” and described it as “an arsonist emperor, submissive courtiers, and a clown on ketamine.” That speech has since gone viral in France.

How Lady Liberty Got to New York

The idea for the statue actually came from France in the 1860s. Sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed it as a symbol of democracy and friendship between nations. Most of the money for the statue came from French citizens — the U.S. only paid for the pedestal.

The statue was finished in Paris in 1884, shipped to New York in pieces, and officially unveiled in 1886. Since then, she’s become a beacon of hope — especially for immigrants arriving in the U.S. in search of a better life.

Symbol or Scapegoat?

The whole debate shows how powerful — and sometimes controversial — symbols can be. For some, the Statue of Liberty still stands for freedom and justice. For others, especially critics of recent U.S. policies, she’s a reminder of ideals that are no longer being upheld.

Glucksmann’s message is clear: if America no longer believes in what the statue represents, maybe it doesn’t deserve to keep her. Trump supporters, meanwhile, argue that Europe needs to stop relying on the U.S. and focus on its own defence.

So, will the statue actually go back to France? Probably not. But one thing’s for sure — this monument still has the power to stir up big emotions on both sides of the ocean.

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