Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are set to be pardoned by former President Donald Trump, according to a video posted by Trump’s communications adviser, Margo Martin, on X (formerly Twitter). The announcement has sparked widespread attention, as the couple, famous for their show Chrisley Knows Best, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in November 2022 on charges including tax evasion and bank fraud.
In the video, Trump is seen calling Savannah Chrisley, the couple’s 27-year-old daughter, personally informing her that her parents would soon be pardoned and released from prison. Savannah had actively appealed to the Trump administration for clemency and spoke publicly at the 2024 Republican National Convention advocating for her parents’ release.
Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison with 16 months of probation, while Julie received a seven-year prison term and 16 months of probation. Together, they were ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution related to their crimes.
When contacted by ABC News for details about the pardons, White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields did not provide specific background but echoed the sentiments expressed by Trump in the video. Fields stated, “The President is always pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system.” He added that the couple’s sentences were “far too harsh.”
Chrisley Knows Best premiered in 2014 and chronicled the extravagant lifestyle of Todd Chrisley, a wealthy real estate developer, and his family. The legal troubles stemmed from fraudulent activities dating back to 2007. Prosecutors allege the couple submitted falsified documents and fabricated bank statements to secure millions of dollars in loans. In 2014, they reportedly produced manipulated credit reports and bank statements to obtain a lease for a California home.
The sentencing memo from prosecutors described the couple’s conduct as a “fifteen-year fraud spree.” It stated, “After they defrauded community banks out of tens of millions of dollars, they hid millions of dollars from the IRS, all while going on television to boast about how much they spend on designer clothes.” The memo also highlighted attempts to obstruct justice by involving family and friends once the investigation began.
In a phone interview with ABC News, Savannah Chrisley described the call from Trump as “totally out of the blue.” She shared, “I kind of had gotten to a place where I had lost hope, and just felt like nothing was going in my favor. And then I got the call.”
Savannah said she plans to pick up her parents either Tuesday night or “first thing” Wednesday. She emotionally recounted telling her mother about the pardon over the phone: “Just sobbing, hysterically.”
She expressed deep gratitude toward Trump, Alice Johnson—Trump’s well-known “pardon czar”—and the entire administration for their roles in securing the pardons. “It was just a shock, and the president was so kind and loving. He’s the reason my family is coming back together,” Savannah said. “I have always stood by him and his administration, and I will continue to stand by them and fight for them.”
The pardoning of Todd and Julie Chrisley underscores the controversial nature of presidential pardons, especially for high-profile figures convicted of financial crimes. While supporters argue the couple was treated unfairly, critics contend that the sentences were appropriate given the extensive fraud and deception involved.
This development also raises questions about the influence of celebrity status and political connections on the justice system. The Chrisleys’ case has been highly publicized, intertwining the worlds of entertainment, politics, and law.
For now, Todd and Julie Chrisley’s impending release marks a new chapter for the family, with their daughter Savannah eagerly awaiting their return and vowing to support their journey moving forward.
The broader implications of the pardon are still unfolding, with legal experts and commentators closely monitoring the case as it sparks discussions on justice, accountability, and clemency in the United States.
As the story continues to develop, the public remains engaged in the conversation around the role of presidential pardons and the intersection of fame and the legal system.
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