Giulia Sarkozy, the 13-year-old daughter of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has taken to TikTok to defend her father amid his ongoing legal battles.
In a recent live session on March 19, 2025, she responded passionately to fans' inquiries about her father's situation, namely whether he was "still in prison." With evident frustration, she declared, "But you know he was never in prison? On my life, on my heart. I’m honest with you, I don’t care what others think."
Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to one year of house arrest with an electronic bracelet in December 2024 related to the "eavesdropping" case, is currently facing trial over allegations of Libyan campaign financing from his 2007 presidential bid. Giulia emphasized that her father would soon have the electronic bracelet removed, stating, "he’s going to take it off very soon, and those who put it on him will pay for it. Because it’s false; it’s really a setup by idiots.”
During the TikTok live, which has since garnered attention for its bluntness, comments continued to flood in, addressing issues surrounding Giulia's father’s criminal cases. When pressed about Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader and a pivotal figure in the ongoing trial, Giulia dismissed the inquiries, replying, "Stop bothering me with this guy. All my respect, rest in peace Gaddafi. I don't know the history, so I can't voice my opinion on it." Giulia was born just a day before Gaddafi's death on October 20, 2011, which adds a layer of personal significance to her comments.
The former president, who turned 70 on January 28, 2025, faces not only the trial and electronic monitoring but also potential calls for parole due to his age. As a 70-year-old, he can appeal for conditional release from his sentence. Interestingly, after his sentencing, he publicly stated that he had "voluntarily renounced certain arrangements" to avoid any impression of favoritism or privilege, raising questions about the motivations behind Giulia's recent statements about his impending release.
Giulia's activism on social media has sparked discussions across various platforms, particularly about familial loyalty and public perception. Many comments from viewers of her TikTok are sympathetic towards her plight, with inquiries about growing up under the shadow of her father's controversies. Fellow TikTok users often expressed their disbelief about the seriousness of her father's legal troubles, challenging her views in a way that makes for a compelling social media narrative.
As she navigates the complexities of adolescence while dealing with these public family matters, Giulia Sarkozy stands out not just as the daughter of a former leader but also as an emerging social media presence in her own right. By taking on a role of defense for her father, she is crafting a narrative that both humanizes him to a younger audience and seeks to divert negative attention directed at their family.
The trial against Nicolas Sarkozy includes severe accusations such as corruption, misappropriation of public funds, illegal campaign financing, and criminal association, which have become topics of heated debate in France. The intricate web of claims surrounding the Libyan leader's alleged involvement in Sarkozy's presidential campaign funding, reputedly through a cash sum, places significant weight on the ongoing legal discussions.
While opinions about her father's actions continue to polarize public sentiment, Giulia's live interactions contribute to shaping her generation's understanding of political legacies and scandals. As she exclaims with earnest conviction during so many of her shows, it is clear there’s a strong, protective instinct born from a life spent under the scrutiny of media and public commentaries. "I know that people invent things, they are jealous," she openly states, expressing a familiar sentiment echoed by many families facing public scrutiny.
The ongoing trial commenced in January 2025, as Nicolas Sarkozy's defense team prepares for the next phase of their legal argument, amidst calls for transparency around the case. Giulia’s vocal support appears to reveal a vulnerability that resonates within her audience, thus crafting a personal connection beyond the political. In a world increasingly driven by public opinion and social media power, her TikTok presence adds a new layer to the narrative of the Sarkozy family, where legal troubles and personal stories converge.
As the trial progresses and more responses are awaited from the legal team, one thing remains clear: Giulia Sarkozy's resilience shines as she stands alongside her father, both navigating the rocky terrains of parental loyalty and public affection in an increasingly complex digital world.