Karoline Leavitt, President Donald Trump’s press secretary, opened a bit of a “gotcha” war with European Parliament member Raphael Glucksmann over the Statue of Liberty.
Leavitt, no doubt, has an impossible job. She is the front woman for Trump, Elon Musk and the entire Trump administration, including his unusual cabinet members. She must defend the Trump machine of emotions, lies, misinformation and threats on a daily basis. Exhausting, no doubt!
European Parliament member Raphael Glucksmann said last Sunday that America under President Trump no longer represents the values of freedom and democracy that have become synonymous with the statue. Glucksmann suggested the landmark, which France gave to America to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence, should come home.
“This, of course, is exactly the kind of social media spectacle that always energizes Trump.”
This, of course, is exactly the kind of social media spectacle that always energizes Trump. He is a highly emotional, impulsive, uncivil and transactional leader. He will give as much attention to a perceived slur by a French politician as he does to the Russia-Ukraine War, tariffs and the price of eggs.
To the French politician’s suggestion, Leavitt replied: “And my advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now. So, they should be very grateful to our great country.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (Photo by Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA via AP Images)
Trump’s garden variety rhetorical strategies are all over Leavitt’s statement. He communicates constantly through insult, hyperbole, untruthful, incoherent accusations, and threats against his alleged opponents. His constant refrain of disdain has become a defining trait of his presidency.
It’s as if Trump is whispering in her ear as she says “low-level French politician.” How Donald!
In a mocking and condescending tone, she proceeds to assume the position of a lecturer: “It’s only because of the United States that the French are not speaking German right now.”
She concludes her low-brow cattiness with a phrase making the rounds of Trump’s administration: “They should be very grateful to our great country.” Vice President JD Vance said the same thing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Trump imparts the elitism of a monarch demanding fealty from his subjects.”
The ICE czar, Tom Holman, waxes on about the “privilege” of having a green card. Trump and company have formed the opinion that everyone owes them thanks, gratitude and appreciation. Trump imparts the elitism of a monarch demanding fealty from his subjects.
What always matters with Trump and his spokespersons is the emotional vibes. As David French notes, “There’s a strong undercurrent of raw animosity in our politics.” Leavitt’s disarming smile can’t hide the sheer disdain she exudes not only for the French politician, but for anyone who dares suggest any possible transgression by her boss. She reeks of the overpowering anger of MAGA now encouraged by a growing sense of arrogance that comes with winning.
Leavitt evokes the specter of the “ugly American.”
Ironically, Americans often have thought of the French as cold and aloof.
Why history matters
Lynn Hunt, in History: Why It Matters, reminds: “Everywhere you turn, history is at issue. Politicians lie about historical facts, groups clash over the fate of historical monuments, officials closely monitor the content of history textbooks, and truth commissions proliferate across the globe.”
Maybe Leavitt is unaware of how much history is an ongoing thorn in Trump and MAGA’s side. Trump launched his first campaign for the highest office of the land with a lie about Barack Obama not being born in the United States. MAGA evangelicals have manufactured a “fictional” history of our nation as “founded by God.” Trump and MAGA have pushed the preservation of monuments and statues of Confederate generals. Conservatives have attempted to change history curriculums and textbooks with lies such as slavery was not so bad and history gives too much attention to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
“Maybe Leavitt is unaware of how much history is an ongoing thorn in Trump and MAGA’s side.”
All history matters, and all history should be exempt from anti-wokeness and anti-DEI attacks. Leavitt’s remarks are just the latest example of an appalling historical ignorance in our nation.
Long overdue lessons
The most charitable option available may be offering Leavitt a few history lessons about American-French relations.
Glucksmann takes the lead here:
Raphael Glucksmann (Photo by Victor Joly/Abaca/Sipa USA via AP Images)
Our two people are intimately linked by history, the blood we shed and the passion for freedom we share, a passion symbolized by this statue that was offered to the United States by France to honor your glorious revolution.”
As the press secretary for this shameful administration said: Without your nation, France would have ‘spoken German.’ In my case, it goes further: I would simply not be here if hundreds of thousands of young Americans had not landed on our beaches in Normandy. Our gratitude to these heroes and their sacrifices is therefore eternal.
But the America of these heroes fought against tyrants, it did not flatter them. It was the enemy of fascism, not the friend of Putin. It helped the resistance and didn’t attack Zelensky. It celebrated science and didn’t fire researchers for using banned words. It welcomed the persecuted and didn’t target them.
Where Leavitt employs condescension, Glucksmann exudes gratitude. Where Leavitt denies history, Glucksmann embraces history and applies it to the Trump’s administration’s demeaning of the sacrifices of American soldiers with his demolition of democracy.
What Leavitt said contradicted decorum at best and was offensive and bigoted at worst. Leavitt insults our friend, neighbor and ally; Glucksmann speaks with affection of the sacrifices made by Americans on behalf of himself and France.
Leavitt’s remarks also overlook the crucial role France played in the American War for Independence. Michael McFaul, the Obama-era U.S. ambassador to Russia and current professor of political science at Stanford University, asked of Leavitt, “Who told her to say this? She obviously got in from somewhere.”
He added: “I hope our @PressSec knows that it’s only because of the French that we have an independent United States of America.”
Louisiana Purchase
A reminder to Leavitt of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase is in order.
The United States paid $15 million for what would become the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and some of New Mexico. With the exception of New Mexico, all these states are reliably Republican states.
I also suspect Leavitt does not understand the historical significance of the French in South Louisiana, especially the city of New Orleans. The people of Louisiana are proud of our French heritage. The Cajuns, who came from Canada to settle in Louisiana’s marshes, are an integral part of Louisiana’s rich and diverse history. From Mardi Gras parades to cochon de lait to crawfish boils to Voodoo queens to the French Quarter, Louisiana has a deep affection for the French.
Leavitt’s remarks are tasteless and vulgar on the streets of the French Quarter.
One other historical event deserves consideration. The Second French Empire remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War and never recognized the Confederate States of America. French intervention in the Civil War may have turned the war in favor of the Confederacy. Such a calamitous reversal would have bad long-term and devastating consequences including there never being a United States capable of helping the British, French and other allies stop Germany in World War II.
The lyrics of Sam Cooke are bouncing in my head:
Don’t know much about history
Don’t know much biology
Don’t know much about a science book
Don’t know much about the French I took
As the Trump administration continues its demolition of long-lasting alliances, its disdain for NATO and its America against the world campaign, we can only shudder in the horrors of “America First.” Leavitt has merely put another log on the fire to burn down decades of cooperation, mutual respect and hospitality.
Lady Liberty, if she were a living woman, would be packing her bags for a return to France given how Trump and company are trampling on the principles of freedom and liberty for all.
Rodney W. Kennedy is a pastor and writer in New York state. He is the author of 11 books, including his latest, Dancing with Metaphors in the Pulpit.
Related articles:
America has walked away from the battle for international goodwill | Opinion by Heather Deal
7 lies Trump is telling about Ukraine | Analysis by Rodney Kennedy
Walesa and Polish prisoners of war denounce Trump’s treatment of Zelensky