Trump to Pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, Freeing Reality TV Stars from Fraud Convictions

President Donald Trump has announced plans to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted in 2022 for fraud and tax evasion, potentially as early as Wednesday. The couple, famed for their show Chrisley Knows Best, faced sentences of 12 and seven years, respectively, after defrauding banks of over $30 million in loans and evading taxes. Their sentences were later reduced, but their daughter Savannah has tirelessly advocated for their release since they entered prison in January 2023.

In an emotional Oval Office phone call shared on X, Trump spoke directly to Savannah and Chase Chrisley, saying, "Your parents are going to be free and clean." He described their treatment as "pretty harsh" and expressed hope to finalize the pardons swiftly. The call, captioned "Trump Knows Best," highlighted Trump’s personal touch, a nod to the family’s reality TV roots.

Savannah, who has criticized the prosecution as politically motivated, thanked Trump profusely, while Chase tearfully expressed gratitude. The president credited Alice Marie Johnson, his pardon czar, for her role in the decision. Savannah later shared on Instagram that she received the news while at a Sam’s Club, exclaiming, "My parents get to start their lives over!"

The Chrisleys’ attorney, Alex Little, praised the pardon as a correction of a "deep injustice," alleging the couple was targeted for their conservative values and fame. This move follows Savannah’s July 2024 Republican National Convention speech, where she claimed her family was "persecuted" by prosecutors in Fulton County.

Trump’s decision stirs debate about justice, fame, and political influence, as the Chrisleys prepare to return to their family and rebuild.