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Who Are Todd and Julie Chrisley, the Reality TV Couple Trump Is Pardoning?

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In my perspective, I was quite taken aback when President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that he would grant clemency to the renowned reality TV personalities, Todd and Julie Chrisley. Known primarily for their role in the popular series “Chrisley Knows Best,” they were found guilty of bank and tax fraud charges in June 2022.

Trump phoned Savannah and Grayson Chrisley, the couple’s children, from the Oval Office on Tuesday to inform them of their pardon. According to White House representative Harrison Fields, speaking to TIME, “The President enjoys offering a second opportunity to deserving Americans, particularly those who have been wrongly accused and excessively punished by an unjust legal system.

Trump expressed on the call, as confirmed by White House communications advisor Margo Martin’s shared video, “It’s unfortunate, but it’s also beneficial since your parents will gain their freedom and become clean.” He added, “We’ll strive to complete it tomorrow, so send them my good wishes and best regards. Wish them a fulfilling life.” Both children expressed gratitude towards the President during the call.

USA Network’s parent company, NBC Universal, failed to provide a prompt response when TIME made a request for comment regarding “Chrisley Knows Best.

Here’s what to know about the reality TV show couple. 

What are Todd and Julie Chrisley known for? 

Todd and Julie Chrisley became well-known after their 2014 reality TV show “Chrisley Knows Best” was released, which depicted the life of Todd, a successful real estate developer and entrepreneur based in Atlanta, along with his wife, five children, grandchild, and mother, Nanny Faye Chrisley.

2020 saw USA Network’s original series as their most-watched program, with an average of over 2 million viewers across all platforms within a month following the season 8 debut, as reported by PR Newswire.

A show titled “Growing Up Chrisley” was initially broadcast, but it ended after the couple’s conviction, coinciding with the cancellation of “Chrisley Knows Best.” The family has been announced to star in a Lifetime documentary series, set for release on May 21, focusing on their lives since Todd and Julie Chrisleys began serving their sentences.

What did Todd and Julie Chrisley go to prison for? 

For approximately ten years on the air, the duo encountered legal issues due to several instances of alleged bank and tax fraud.

From 2013 to 2016, the Chrisleys were accused of not submitting tax returns or making any tax payments, along with conspiring to deceive Atlanta banks out of over $35 million in loans by providing fake documents. The authorities asserted that the couple tried to dodge paying off their debts following Todd Chrisley’s bankruptcy filing, despite maintaining a luxurious lifestyle and earning income from their TV show. Additionally, Todd Chrisley is said to have owed half a million dollars in taxes to the IRS.

Todd and Julie Chrisley received a sentence of 12 and 7 years, respectively, in federal penitentiary following their conviction by a jury on all charges. Additionally, they were mandated to repay over $15 million as reparations.

In January 2023, they started serving their prison terms, which lasted for about two years prior to the news of their presidential pardons.

Why is Donald Trump pardoning the Chrisleys? 

Trump claims he’s never encountered Todd and Julie Chrisley personally, despite this; a White House representative has stated that the President did indeed meet their daughter, Savannah.

The case was presented to President Trump by Alice Marie Johnson, often referred to as the “pardon adviser,” who is responsible for submitting cases for presidential clemency to Trump. Previously, Johnson herself had been granted a pardon after serving over two decades in federal prison due to a first-time drug offense.

According to his remarks to TIME, Fields, the White House representative, characterized the charges leveled against the Chrisleys as “excessively severe.

In a similar vein, the Chrisleys faced legal charges in Fulton County, Georgia – the same jurisdiction that indicted Trump on allegations of interfering with elections.

Savannah Chrisley expressed gratitude on platform of choice, praising the President for granting a pardon she considered significant beyond her immediate family. For her, it symbolized an administration that values redemption, mends families, and restores optimism among Americans.

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2025-05-29 00:06

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