Who are reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, and why did Trump pardon them?
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Trump to Pardon "Chrisley Knows Best" Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
President Donald Trump is set to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their show "Chrisley Knows Best," following their convictions on financial fraud and tax evasion charges. This move, part of Trump's recent clemency actions, has drawn scrutiny.
The Chrisleys, wealthy real estate figures based in Atlanta, were found guilty in 2022 of defrauding community banks out of over $36 million. They used false documents to obtain loans for luxury items like cars, designer clothes, and travel, and used new loans to pay back old ones. Todd Chrisley received a 12-year prison sentence, while Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years. They were also convicted of attempting to defraud the IRS.
Trump's decision to pardon the Chrisleys stems from his belief that they were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration's Department of Justice. A White House spokesman stated that Trump is "pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system."
While Trump doesn't personally know the Chrisleys, their daughter, Savannah, is a vocal supporter and advocated for their pardon, even speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Trump spoke with Savannah on Tuesday, sharing that he hoped to pardon her parents by Wednesday.
This pardon is part of a larger trend of Trump granting clemency to individuals he believes were victims of political persecution. He has previously pardoned individuals charged in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot and Scott Jenkins, a former sheriff convicted of bribery. This latest move highlights Trump's continued use of his pardon power and the ongoing political tensions surrounding the justice system.
Keywords: Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, Chrisley Knows Best, Trump pardon, financial fraud, tax evasion, reality TV, Georgia, Atlanta, Biden DOJ, Savannah Chrisley, presidential pardon, clemency, Donald Trump, fraud, prison sentence, USA Network, Republican National Convention.