Trump pardons reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
President Trump called Savannah Chrisley from the Oval Office in the White House to tell her he wanted to pardon her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley.
Hours after President Trump signed off on a full pardon for Julie and Todd Chrisley, the couple was released from their respective prisons.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Office of Public Affairs confirmed the news in separate statements issued to USA TODAY on May 28. Todd “has been released” from Florida’s federal prison in Pensacola, an FBP spokesperson said. An hour later, the agency announced Julie was released from federal custody in Lexington, Kentucky.
The family’s legal representative said in a statement that both Chrisleys are on the “way home to Nashville.”
Earlier in the day, the president signed paperwork granting full pardons to the “Chrisley Knows Best” stars, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY. The couple, who documented their family life on USA Network reality shows, had been in prison since January 2023, serving up to 10 years for using fraudulent loans to defraud community banks in Georgia.
Their 2022 conviction also found them guilty of defrauding the IRS and committing tax evasion; Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
On May 27, Trump called the Chrisleys’ middle daughter, Savannah Chrisley, to let her know her parents were “going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow.”
Savannah, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July and has actively championed her parents’ release, celebrated the news in a video she posted to Instagram May 27 and announced she was preparing for their return.
“We’re getting some clothes together for mom and dad, getting their room put together upstairs, and I’m just speechless. I can’t thank you guys enough for sticking with my family along the way and for loving us and supporting us,” she said.
“My parents get to start their lives over,” she continued. “President Trump didn’t just commute their sentences. He gave them a full, unconditional, pardon. So for that I am forever grateful.”
How long were the Chrisleys in prison?
Julie Chrisley, 52, has been serving her seven-year prison sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Her most recent release date prior to the pardon was slated for January 2028.
Todd Chrisley has been serving time at FPC Pensacola and was expected to be released April 7, 2032.
“Chrisley Knows Best” aired on USA Network for 10 seasons, from 2014 through 2023. “Growing Up Chrisley,” a spin-off featuring the couple’s adult children, Chase and Savannah Chrisley, went on for four seasons after its 2019 premiere.
Joe Exotic also seeking pardon from Donald Trump
Amid the Todd and Julie Chrisley’s pardon from Trump, reality TV star Joe Exotic, who’s currently in prison, is wondering why the president isn’t returning his calls.
“Donald J. Trump please restore freedom for Joe Exotic so he can go back to doing good in the world,” the former businessman shared on his X account. “Joe Exotic did not hurt anyone. Joe Exotic did not pay anyone. Joe Exotic had no plans to hurt anyone. Joe Exotic has suffered seven years behind bars being isolated, abused, and treated in ways no American should ever endure.”
Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also shared a press release that further expressed his disappointment.
“I have never been more disappointed in my life that President Trump is pardoning all of these people that have actually committed crimes and yet the President leaves me in here as an innocent man,” read the statement.
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