French politician Raphael Glucksmann has urged the United States of America (USA) to return the Statue of Liberty, arguing that the country no longer represents the values that motivated France to gift the monument nearly 140 years ago.

Glucksmann made the statement while speaking at a convention, criticising the treatment of researchers advocating for scientific freedom. He said, “We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty.’”

Glucksmann added that while France had gifted the statue to the US, “apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home”.

He also condemned former US President Donald Trump’s administration for reducing funding to research institutions, asserting that France would welcome American researchers affected by such policies.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: “Absolutely not…” regarding Glucksmann’s remarks.