Todd and Julie Chrisley Break Silence After Trump Pardon, Announce New Reality TV Comeback

Todd and Julie Chrisley, the embattled reality TV stars of Chrisley Knows Best, are speaking out for the first time since receiving a stunning presidential pardon from Donald Trump. In an exclusive interview with My View with Lara Trump, the couple described in emotional detail the moment they learned their prison sentences had been cut short—and how faith, family, and political advocacy played pivotal roles in their release.

The interview, airing this Saturday on Fox News, marks the couple’s first national appearance since walking free after their convictions on federal bank fraud and tax evasion charges.

“It was the craziest thing,” Julie Chrisley recalled, describing the shock and disbelief that swept through the prison when she received the news. “Everybody was just looking at me because unfortunately, most of the news that you get in prison is bad news… I’m like, I am. I’m getting out of here.”

Todd Chrisley shared a similar story, saying he was approached by a fellow inmate who had heard the news before he had. “He came by, and he goes, ‘Are you good?’” Todd said. “And I said, as good as I can be. And he said, ‘Todd, you just got pardoned. They sent me down here to make sure you’re OK.’ And I said, well, they don’t need to be worrying about me now. Hell, if I’m pardoned, I’m great.”

From Prison Cells to Primetime Plans

The Chrisleys were convicted in June 2022 after a nearly three-week federal trial in Atlanta, Georgia. Todd received a 12-year sentence, while Julie was sentenced to seven years. Prosecutors alleged the couple had conspired to defraud banks out of more than $30 million through false financial documents and had subsequently engaged in tax evasion.

“The Chrisleys defrauded financial institutions and the Federal Government… to project an image of wealth,” said James Dorsey, special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office, at the time. “This sentencing serves notice that no matter a person’s celebrity status, there are severe consequences for defrauding the American tax system.”

Yet even as the couple began serving time, their daughter Savannah Chrisley, 27, launched a high-profile campaign to have them released. She alleged that the charges were politically motivated and fueled by her parents’ vocal support for Donald Trump and conservative causes.

In the newly taped interview, Todd Chrisley credited divine intervention for the unexpected outcome. “We owe thanks to God,” he said. “God touched President Trump’s heart. God led the people to advocate for us. And so, I’m grateful because every night I would pray that God would return me home to my wife and my children. And He did that.”

The Road to Redemption—And Reality TV

Though their sentences had already been reduced prior to the pardon, the presidential action effectively brought the couple’s legal saga to an end. With their release, the Chrisleys are now preparing to re-enter public life—with cameras rolling once again.

Their next chapter? A new docuseries on Lifetime that promises to peel back the curtain on the couple’s criminal case, their time behind bars, and the fallout that followed.

“We’re going to set the record straight,” Savannah Chrisley said. “And now we move forward with our lives.”

In May, the family held a press conference to preview the new series and share their future plans. Todd, known for his larger-than-life personality and quips about appearance, joked that his Botox had survived his prison stint. The family also emphasized that they continue to maintain their innocence and plan to use the show as a platform to challenge the narrative that surrounded their prosecution.

Legal Experts and Public Reaction Remain Divided

The Chrisleys’ pardon has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters celebrating what they view as long-overdue justice, and critics arguing it sets a dangerous precedent for high-profile offenders.

While presidential pardons are entirely within the executive branch’s legal authority, they often attract scrutiny when granted to public figures or political allies. Legal experts note that the Chrisleys’ case was one of the most prominent celebrity fraud prosecutions in recent memory—and that its sudden reversal raises questions about the influence of fame and political connections on the criminal justice system.

Despite this, the Chrisleys appear focused on rebuilding their lives and careers. The Lifetime series, still untitled, is expected to premiere later this year and will likely include personal interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and previously unseen moments from their legal fight.

A New Beginning—or a Continuing Controversy?

For Todd and Julie Chrisley, the road ahead remains uncertain. While they’ve regained their freedom and are reentering the entertainment world, the shadow of their convictions—and the public scrutiny that followed—has not disappeared.

Still, the couple’s narrative of faith, resilience, and political vindication seems poised to resonate with a segment of the American public that sees them not as fraudsters, but as victims of a politicized system.

Whether their new show revives their public image or deepens the controversy remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Chrisleys are back, and they’re ready to take control of their story—this time, in front of the cameras.