QuickPost News | March 18, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON—France’s oldest ally turned up the heat this week, as politicians across the Atlantic demanded the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty—a gift bestowed 139 years ago. The provocative call, led by French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, met a blistering counter from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who reminded France of America’s World War II heroics. Is this a diplomatic spat or just political theater? The world’s watching.
A Bold Claim
On Sunday, Glucksmann, a Socialist in the European Parliament, took the stage at a Place Publique convention in Paris, declaring the U.S. no longer worthy of Lady Liberty. “Give us back the Statue of Liberty,” he urged, per Agence France-Presse. “We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it.” He pointed to President Donald Trump’s policies—slashing federal jobs and cozying up to “tyrants” like Russia’s Vladimir Putin—as proof America’s ditched the statue’s values of freedom. X erupted with “Statue of Liberty France demand” trending—some mocking, others fuming.
Karoline Leavitt Response
Enter Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s 27-year-old press secretary, who didn’t mince words at Monday’s White House briefing. Asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy if Trump would ship the 305-foot icon back to Paris, she shot back: “Absolutely not.” Then came the zinger: “I would like to remind France that it’s only because of the USA that the French are not speaking German right now. So they should be very grateful to our great country.” Leavitt nodded to America’s WWII liberation of France from Nazi occupation—a mic-drop moment that’s gone viral, racking up 50k+ likes on X. “Karoline Leavitt response” searches are spiking as clips flood social media.
Tensions Simmer
The Statue, designed by Frenchman Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and gifted in 1886 to mark U.S. independence, has stood in New York Harbor as a beacon of democracy. Glucksmann’s demand ties to Trump’s second term—his Ukraine stance and budget cuts have irked European leaders. “If you fire your best researchers, we’ll welcome them,” he added, eyeing America’s brain drain. France isn’t alone—posts on X show Canada and others grumbling about U.S. policy shifts. Is this a real bid to reclaim the statue or a symbolic jab? Experts lean toward the latter—moving it’s a logistical nightmare.
U.S.-France Tensions 2025
Leavitt’s retort leans on history: U.S. troops landed on Normandy’s beaches in 1944, helping free France from Hitler’s grip. Over 425,000 Allied soldiers died in that campaign—73,000 American. France’s gratitude birthed the Statue in the first place, a token of alliance. Now, with Trump’s “America First” redux, that bond’s fraying. Glucksmann’s camp sees irony—a nation “siding with tyrants” clutching a freedom symbol. Leavitt’s camp? They’re calling it ungrateful nonsense.
What’s Next
No one’s hauling Lady Liberty across the Atlantic anytime soon—legal ownership’s ironclad, and Trump’s team isn’t budging. But the spat’s lit a fire online. X users quip: “France can have it if they take our student debt too.” Others back Leavitt: “She cooked them with facts.” QuickPost News tracks this clash as U.S.-France tensions simmer—stay tuned
Data Sources & Validation:
- Glucksmann’s remarks from Agence France-Presse (March 16, 2025), cross-checked with France 24—treated as breaking news, consistent across outlets.Leavitt’s quote from White House briefing (March 17, 2025), via Fox News and Mediaite—direct transcript, verified.Historical context (Statue gift, WWII) from public records and National Archives—factual baseline.Social media sentiment from X posts (March 17-18, 2025)—reflects real-time buzz, not conclusive.
