Todd and Julie Chrisley's children react to Trump pardon: 'My dad is just jacked'
It's a match made in reality television heaven – a celebrity pardon from a celebrity president.
Reality star Grayson Chrisley took to Instagram on May 27 to thank President Donald Trump, once a reality TV regular himself, for pardoning his parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley.
"PRAISE GOD!!!! Thank you Mr. President for bringing my family back," he wrote in an Instagram Story. "TRUMP KNOWS BEST."
"When 45/47 says something, he keeps his word," the 19 year old wrote. Trump, who is both the 45th and the 47th president, announced the pardon May 27, calling Grayson's older sister, Savannah Chrisley, to share the news.
In an X post from spokesperson Margo Martin, Trump is heard telling Savannah Chisley: "It's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope we can do it by tomorrow."
What did Todd and Julie Chrisley do?
In June 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley, who portrayed themselves as real estate tycoons in the South on their USA Network shows, were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million. The pair was accused of running a scheme that, through fraudulent loans, defrauded the IRS and committed tax evasion. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
Todd Chrisley was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence, and both reported to their respective federal prisons in January 2023. They ended up serving two years of their respective sentences.
According to an amended forfeiture order from 2024 reviewed by Paste BN, Todd Chrisley was found to have "received a total of $17,270,741.57 in proceeds as a result of committing the offense of conviction" and was ordered to forfeit that amount to the government.
Savannah Chrisley is 'forever' grateful for Trump
Daughter Savannah Chrisley, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, celebrated the news in a video she posted to Instagram.
Wearing a gold "Make America Great Again" cap and several cross necklaces, the 27-year-old started her video by announcing she is "freaking out over here."
"I have shed so many tears. The president called me personally as I was walking into Sam's Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both my parents," she said. "So both my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow. And I still don’t believe it’s real."
She added, "The fact that the president called me – I will forever be grateful for President Trump, his administration and everyone along the way."
Chase Chrisley opens up about family's reality-TV future
In a May 29 Entertainment Tonight interview, Julie and Todd's son Chase Chrisley opened up about the moment the family was reunited.
"I don't think it really hit me until they were both home, and I got to see my mom and dad hug each other and embrace each other," said Chase, 28. "We're all hugging each other and crying."
He added: "My dad wrapped his arms around my mom, and I don't think he's let go — and I don't think he'll ever let go."
After his parents' two years in prison, Chase said his mom's hair is "darker now," but she doesn't plan to go back to platinum blonde. Meanwhile, "My dad is just jacked," he said.
As for whether they will be back on fans' TV screens, Chase said, "It's too early to tell. We'll have to have a family conversation about that."
Attorney says Chrisleys 'targeted because of their conservative values'
That the pardon came down from Trump, who has been vocal about a mission to restore the freedom of jailed people whom he views as unfairly persecuted for their political alignment with him, is appropriate. The Chrisley children have cozied up to the president in recent years, specifically as they advocate for their parents' release.
"This pardon corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community," the Chrisleys' attorney, Alex Little, said in a statement shared with Paste BN on May 27.
"President Trump recognized what we've argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile," Little added, claiming the couple's "prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias."