In what can only be described as a too-on-the-nose metaphor for the United States’ weakening influence on the world, a video making the rounds on social media shows a giant replica of the Statue of Liberty toppling over in a Brazilian parking lot, backdropped by a McDonald’s and other ephemera of urban decay.
The clip shows the statue succumbing to strong winds in the city of Guaíba, which is located across the bay from the much larger port city of Porto Alegre in Southern Brazil. A number of vehicles appear to flee the falling Lady Liberty, with one bewildered pedestrian quickening his step to avoid being crushed.
The replica once stood at 110 feet, making it just over a third as tall as the iconic structure that inspired it.
WATCH: Replica of the Statue of Liberty topples due to strong winds in Guaíba, Brazil — BNO News (@bnonews.com) 2025-12-15T21:26:09.205Z
According to the Weather Channel, the statue became a landmark in the city in 2020, and belongs to a large department store chain called Havan. The chain is known for its stores that feature Neo-Greek architecture — along with giant replicas of the Statue of Liberty that adorn almost every single branch.
Guaíba mayor Marcelo Maranata has since acknowledged the toppling, praising Havan staff and emergency teams for ensuring nobody was hurt, as Gulf News reports. Investigations are ongoing as the franchise tries to determine why the statue succumbed to the high winds.
Many social media users were first alarmed at the sight before realizing it wasn’t the original located on Liberty Island in New York City’s harbor.
“As a New Yorker, this was WILD TO WATCH,” one user tweeted.
Others pointed out the rather obvious symbolism.
“A replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsing in front of a McDonald’s perfectly sums up the state of the world right now,” a user called Proud Socialist tweeted.
... continue reading