White House says it will not return the Statue of Liberty to France

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Published: March 17, 2025 / 3:45 PM EDT / Politico

Washington — In a diplomatic spat straight out of a bad comedy, a French politician has demanded the U.S. pack up the Statue of Liberty and ship her back to Paris, claiming America’s gone too tyrant-cuddly to deserve her torch. Raphaël Glucksmann, a self-righteous Euro-leftie from the Place Publique party, whined that Trump’s America has traded freedom for fist-bumps with despots. His grand solution? Repossess the 140-year-old gift like it’s a overdue library book—because nothing screams “liberty” like a transatlantic tug-of-war over a copper souvenir.

Cue the White House, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t just say no—she dropped a history lesson so smug it could’ve been scripted by a war movie jock. “Newsflash, France: you’re not goose-stepping to German lullabies because of us,” she sneered, implying the U.S. owns gratitude points from 1945 forever. “Lady Liberty’s staying put—maybe send us a thank-you croissant instead.” Trump, reportedly chuckling from the Oval Office, allegedly added, “No returns, no refunds—deal with it,” though aides insist he was just riffing on trade tariffs.

Glucksmann, undeterred, called his stunt a “symbolic wake-up call,” as if symbolic tantrums ever moved a 305-foot statue. French supporters cheered, while X lit up with American patriots suggesting France “come and take her” over Uncle Sam’s cold, star-spangled hands. Legal experts, stifling laughter, noted the statue’s U.S. property status—short of an invasion, it’s not budging.

Meanwhile, the White House basked in its mic-drop moment, with Leavitt dodging questions about whether Trump’s “tyrant” pals might RSVP to Liberty Island’s next barbecue. Across the pond, Glucksmann’s probably drafting his next big idea—maybe demanding the Mona Lisa salute NATO. For now, Lady Liberty stands firm, torch aloft, blissfully unaware she’s the latest pawn in this absurd geopolitical roast.

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