White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt has criticized a French politician who is demanding the return of the Statue of Liberty, saying France should be grateful that “it doesn’t speak German now.”
French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has caused a stir with his statements, suggesting that the US should return the Statue of Liberty, because, according to him, the country under Trump is no longer worthy of this monument and the values it represents. Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament, said “bring back the Statue of Liberty,” Glucksmann said on Sunday to supporters of his Public Place party, who applauded him. “We gave it to you as a symbol, but apparently you don’t appreciate it. So it would be much better here in our house.”
His remarks, which came in response to Trump’s immigration policies, went viral, prompting a sharp response from the White House on Monday. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt hit back, saying Donald Trump would “absolutely not” return the statue, which was gifted to the U.S. by France almost 140 years ago. She called Glucksmann a “low-level” politician and made a reference to World War II.
“My advice to that unknown low-level French politician is to remind him that it’s only thanks to the United States of America that the French don’t speak German now,” Leavitt said. “So they should be very grateful to our country.”