French politician jokes US should return Statue of Liberty for siding with tyrants
GuardianMAR 17
White House Responds After French Politician Calls for Return of Statue of Liberty
Above: The Statue of Liberty in New York City, pictured in 2023. Image copyright: Roy Rochlin/Contributor/Getty Images North America via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
While these comments from a French politician were more in jest than an earnest call for a return of the statue, the remarks do represent a genuine concern in Europe about Trump's closeness to Russia, his cutting off of funding to scientific research, and other illiberal moves such as the mass deportation of immigrants.
Right narrative
This was a brutal retort from the White House press secretary and reminded this low-ranking politician of his place in the pecking order of global politics. There's no need to give any more credence to such an absurd statement.