Trump Pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley, Reality TV Couple Convicted of Fraud
On a regular shopping trip to Sam's Club, Savannah Chrisley received a phone call she never expected — President Donald Trump, and he had big news. Her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were being pardoned. Just like that, the family that once ruled reality TV would soon be reunited under one roof.
Who Are Todd and Julie Chrisley?
Todd and Julie Chrisley first rose to fame in 2014 with their USA Network show, "Chrisley Knows Best." Viewers tuned in for a peek at their lavish Southern lifestyle — flashy cars, designer clothes, and a seemingly tight-knit family.
But behind the glamour was a growing financial mess.
The couple, along with a former business partner, submitted fraudulent documents to obtain more than $30 million in loans, prosecutors said. After spending lavishly on luxury goods and real estate, they filed for bankruptcy, leaving debts behind.
In 2022, a federal jury in Atlanta found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison, Julie to 7. They reported to separate facilities in early 2023.
Why Were They Pardoned?
Their daughter Savannah had long campaigned for their release, appearing at the Republican National Convention and frequently addressing what she believed was political bias in their prosecution. She said the case against her parents stemmed not only from legal missteps but also from "rogue prosecutors" and a media spotlight that made them easy targets, according to the Associated Press.
According to Savannah, Trump called her personally on May 27 to say he was signing the pardon paperwork. "Both my parents are coming home. I could not be more grateful," she shared in a tearful video posted to Instagram, according to PEOPLE.
Trump, a former reality TV star himself, reportedly said the Chrisleys received "pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing," according to the Associated Press.
According to PEOPLE, Trump told Savannah, "It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean."
The pardons were finalized just days later. Todd was released from a minimum-security prison in Pensacola, Florida, and Julie was freed from a federal facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
Are They Connected to Trump?
The Chrisleys never publicly endorsed Trump before their convictions. But their daughter Savannah became more vocal in conservative circles during her parents' appeals.
Though Trump admitted on the call that he didn't personally know the Chrisleys, their celebrity status and the family's public campaign may have brought them to his attention. The decision follows a string of high-profile pardons, continuing a pattern Trump established during his presidency.
What's Next for the Chrisleys?
Freedom brings a new chapter — and possibly a new TV series. Lifetime has confirmed an upcoming docuseries featuring the Chrisley family. Originally, it wasn't set to include Todd or Julie. But with their release, that could change.
Savannah, now the legal guardian to her siblings Grayson and Chloe, shared that the family is eager to reunite and rebuild. "We're going to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, all the things, because we're going to make up for the lost time," she said, according to the Associated Press.
Whether the public is ready to welcome them back is another story.
What This Means
Presidential pardons are final — not subject to judicial review. That means Todd and Julie are now officially cleared of their convictions. Legally, their slates are wiped clean.
Emotionally, the Chrisleys say they're just getting started. "It still doesn't feel real. It doesn't. I'm freaking out, so I'm going to go and prepare to pick up my parents. My parents get to start their lives over!" Savannah told fans in her announcement, according to PEOPLE.
After a year and a half behind bars, Todd and Julie Chrisley are free, their story still unfolding — now back in the public eye.
References: Tearful Savannah Chrisley Reveals President Trump 'Just Called Me' at Sam's Club to Say He Pardoned Parents Todd and Julie | What to Know About Reality TV Stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, Who Were Pardoned by Trump | Chase Chrisley Breaks Silence on His Parents' Pardons
