Chase Chrisley Calls Parents’ Prison Release the “Best Birthday Gift” After Trump Pardon

Reality TV star Chase Chrisley received the surprise of a lifetime for his 29th birthday — the release of his parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, from federal prison following a full pardon issued by former President Donald Trump. The emotional reunion marks the end of a two-year incarceration for the couple, who rose to fame through the hit USA Network show Chrisley Knows Best and became household names in American pop culture.

After serving more than two years for their convictions in bank fraud and tax evasion, the Chrisleys walked free on Wednesday and returned to their home in Nashville, Tennessee. The family wasted no time in sharing their gratitude — and their joy.

Todd and Julie Chrisley had been convicted in 2022 of defrauding community banks out of over $30 million using fraudulent documents and evading federal taxes. Todd was originally sentenced to 12 years and Julie to seven. Their sentences were later reduced, but a full pardon from Trump officially ended their time behind bars.

Their son Chase shared his reaction online with his one million Instagram followers, reposting news headlines and declaring, “Best birthday gift I could ask for.” In a statement to the New York Post, Chase added, “I’m beyond thankful to finally have my parents back home and my family together again!”

Chase, along with his siblings Savannah and Grayson, maintained regular contact with their parents during incarceration — an effort that Todd said was essential to his emotional well-being behind bars. “I talked to my daughter every day. To Chase, to Grayson. And I was able to email with Julie every day,” he said at a press conference in Nashville.

During his first public appearance since his release, Todd credited his survival during incarceration to three core pillars: faith, family, and fitness. He explained that his deep spiritual convictions, regular communication with loved ones, and daily exercise kept his mind strong and hopeful.

Julie Chrisley, who served her sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, was photographed returning to her regular routine in Nashville just one day after being freed. She has kept a lower profile but is expected to join the family in rebuilding both their brand and personal lives.

Daughter Savannah Chrisley was instrumental in the couple’s release efforts. After their appeals failed in 2023, she reached out directly to Trump and publicly lobbied for clemency. She shared in a recent Instagram video that she received the news of their pardon while walking into Sam’s Club. “So, both of my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow, and I still don’t believe it’s real!” she said, visibly emotional.

The Chrisleys’ legal troubles began with their indictment in 2019 and escalated in 2022 with multiple charges: conspiracy to commit bank fraud, tax fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors accused them of submitting fake financial statements to obtain massive loans, and of using those funds to support a lavish lifestyle.

Despite a partial legal victory in 2019, when Georgia dropped a $2 million state tax evasion case against them, the federal charges stuck. Todd and Julie both reported to prison in January 2023.

Now free, the couple is expected to return to media and possibly develop new faith-based content or even relaunch a podcast or streaming series, capitalizing on the public’s continued interest in celebrity redemption stories. With interest in Christian family values, legal justice reform, and financial fraud recovery trending online, the Chrisleys’ comeback could see strong digital engagement.

Although they’ve lived under the public spotlight for nearly a decade, the Chrisleys’ next steps will be under even greater scrutiny. With interest from streaming platforms, reality TV networks, and online media publishers, Todd and Julie could turn their comeback into a brand new chapter of their media empire.

For now, the family is focused on healing. “We’re just taking it one day at a time,” Chase said. “What matters most is that we’re together again. Everything else can wait.”

As Americans continue searching for inspirational stories of second chances, the Chrisley saga remains a headline-grabbing example of how fame, scandal, faith, and family can collide — and how sometimes, redemption comes when you least expect it.