Trump to Pardon Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
In yet another headline-grabbing move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to pardon reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley. The couple, known for starring in the long-running reality show Chrisley Knows Best, are currently serving prison sentences after being convicted of a multi-million-dollar fraud and tax evasion scheme in 2022. Trump’s pardon announcement came shortly after a Fox News interview with their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, who passionately defended her parents and criticized the justice system.
Who Are the Chrisleys?
Todd and Julie Chrisley rose to fame as the stars of Chrisley Knows Best, a USA Network reality series that debuted in 2014. The show offered viewers a glimpse into the opulent lives of the Chrisley family, focusing on their careers as real estate tycoons in Nashville and Atlanta. The couple quickly became household names, spawning several spinoff series including Growing Up Chrisley and According to Chrisley.
But behind the scenes, legal troubles were brewing. In 2019, Todd and Julie were indicted on charges of tax evasion, bank fraud, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors accused them of submitting fraudulent documents to obtain more than $36 million in loans from community banks—money which they allegedly used to fund a lavish lifestyle of luxury cars, designer clothing, high-end real estate, and extravagant travel.
The Legal Fallout
After a three-week trial in June 2022, a jury found the couple guilty of all major charges. Prosecutors presented evidence that the Chrisleys used falsified documents to secure loans, then used new fraudulent loans to repay the old ones—a classic Ponzi scheme-style operation. In addition, they were accused of hiding income from their reality TV ventures and avoiding a $500,000 tax bill through a shell company.
Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie Chrisley received a 7-year sentence. Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also convicted and sentenced to three years. The couple maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings, blaming a former employee for the fraudulent activity. However, the court found the evidence against them compelling enough to secure their convictions.
Savannah Chrisley’s Advocacy
Since her parents’ imprisonment, Savannah Chrisley—also a reality TV personality and podcaster—has taken on the role of a public advocate for their release. Earlier this month, she appeared on My View, a Fox News program hosted by Lara Trump, the wife of Eric Trump and daughter-in-law of the former president. During the interview, Savannah was introduced as a prison reform advocate and claimed that her parents had been unfairly targeted due to their political beliefs.
“The prosecutors were Democrats who have donated to Democratic candidates,” Savannah said during the broadcast on May 18. “At trial, we knew it was game over. This was political persecution.”
Savannah also compared her parents’ legal troubles to the criminal charges brought against Donald Trump, stating that their case was “eerily similar” in tone and treatment by the justice system. She further alleged that her parents were victims of a “two-faced justice system” and “rogue prosecutors.”
Trump’s Pardon Promise
Just days after Savannah’s emotional interview aired, Trump released a video via White House aide Margo Martin, showing him on a phone call with the Chrisley children. In the clip, Trump can be heard saying, “Your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do that by tomorrow. I don’t know them, but give them my regards, and wish them a good life.”
The statement immediately made waves online, with critics accusing Trump of once again using his pardon powers for political theater and personal loyalty. Supporters, however, praised the move as an act of compassion and a rebuke to what they perceive as a weaponized justice system.
Savannah’s appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention further cemented the family’s alignment with Trump’s political base. During her speech, she claimed her parents were “persecuted” for their beliefs and urged for widespread criminal justice reform.
Pattern of Pardons
This isn’t the first time Trump has extended clemency to controversial figures. In fact, the Chrisleys’ potential pardon comes on the heels of another high-profile case. On Monday, Trump pardoned former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted in December of accepting over $75,000 in bribes in exchange for giving several businessmen law enforcement titles—despite no official training.
Jenkins, a vocal Trump supporter, was sentenced in March to 10 years in prison. His pardon further ignited debate about Trump’s use of executive clemency as a tool to reward allies or individuals who bolster his political narratives.
A Symbolic Battle in a Larger Culture War
The Chrisley case now appears to be part of a broader narrative often promoted by Trump and his allies: that of a corrupt and biased justice system unfairly targeting conservatives. By positioning Todd and Julie Chrisley as political prisoners and drawing parallels to his own legal battles, Trump continues to frame himself—and those loyal to him—as victims of institutional overreach.
The move to pardon the Chrisleys may resonate with Trump’s base, who see such actions as bold statements against a politicized legal apparatus. But for critics, it’s another example of Trump undermining the justice system for personal or political gain.
What Happens Next?
As of now, the pardon has not been formally issued, but Trump’s statement suggests it may be imminent. Legal experts note that presidential pardons do not erase convictions but do eliminate prison sentences and restore civil rights, such as the right to vote or run for office.
If the pardon goes through, it could dramatically alter the lives of Todd and Julie Chrisley and set another precedent in Trump’s long history of unconventional use of executive powers. Whether it will ultimately help or hurt his 2024 campaign remains to be seen—but it has certainly reignited debate about the role of media, politics, and personal connections in the American justice system.