Controversy over the Statue of Liberty between France and USA? Everything you need to know

Controversy between France and the United States over the Statue of Liberty

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Published in 03-18-2025

Recently, a controversy has erupted surrounding the Statue of Liberty, the iconic monument that France gifted to the United States in 1884 to commemorate the centennial of American independence. French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann suggested that the statue should be returned to France, arguing that the United States no longer represents the values of freedom and democracy that the sculpture symbolizes, especially under the Donald Trump administration. (cadenaser.com)

In response, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt categorically rejected the idea of returning the statue. Leavitt recalled that France should be grateful to the United States for its role in liberating the country during World War II, suggesting that, were it not for American intervention, the French might be speaking German today.

The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, was inaugurated in New York in 1886 and has since served as a symbol of friendship between the two nations and of the shared values of liberty and democracy. This current controversy highlights the political tensions and differing perceptions about the representation of these ideals in the international context.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the return of the Statue of Liberty to France highlights the current divergences in the interpretation of democratic values and freedom. Although the statue's return is unlikely, the debate underscores the importance of reflecting on how nations embody and represent these ideals in the 21st century.

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