President Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, former reality TV stars who were serving respective prison sentences for bank and tax fraud charges, in May.
Todd Chrisley speaks after Trump pardon, release from prison
Reality TV star Todd Chrisley made his first public statement after he and his wife Julie received a pardon from President Donald Trump.
Todd and Julie Chrisley, the former reality TV stars who were convicted on bank and tax fraud charges, are slated to give their first television interview since being released from prison in May.
President Donald Trump pardoned the couple on May 28 after they each served two years of their respective prison sentences. In 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced to 12 and seven years in prison, respectively.
The former “Chrisley Knows Best” stars will appear on an episode of “My View with Lara Trump” on Fox News Channel at the end of June, marking their first televised joint interview since the pardons.
Todd Chrisley spoke publicly at a press conference on May 30, but Julie Chrisley has stayed under the radar since her release.
The couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, and son, Grayson Chrisley, will also be appearing on Fox News Channel alongside them. Savannah Chrisley is no stranger to Lara Trump’s show — she appeared on the program in May, weeks before her parents’ pardons.
Here’s what to know about Todd and Julie Chrisley’s first televised interview.
How to watch Todd and Julie Chrisley’s TV interview
Todd and Julie Chrisley will appear in their first televised interview since their prison release on Fox News Channel’s “My View with Lara Trump.”
The interview will air on Saturday, June 28 at 9 p.m. ET, according to a press release.
Two of the Chrisleys’ children — 27-year-old Savannah and 19-year-old Grayson — will also be featured in the interview.
In an excerpt of the couple’s interview on “My View with Lara Trump” shared with USA TODAY, Julie Chrisley said she “just started busting out crying” when she learned she was being pardoned.
“It was the craziest thing and everybody was just looking at me because unfortunately, most of the news that you get in prison is bad news,” she said. “You know, so they’re like, ‘are you OK?’ I’m like, ‘I am. I’m getting out of here. I’m getting out of here.'”
According to a press release, the family will also discuss their future plans during the show.
Who are Todd and Julie Chrisley?
The family rose to fame with the USA Network reality show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which ran for ten seasons from 2014 to 2023.
Todd Chrisley, the patriarch of the family, is described in his USA Network bio as “a self-made millionaire and successful entrepreneur.” On the show, Todd Chrisley said he made his wealth primarily in real estate.
Alongside his second wife Julie Chrisley, “Chrisley Knows Best” followed the family’s opulent lifestyle first in Atlanta, Georgia, and later Nashville, Tennessee. In part, it followed the family’s complicated dynamics, including the estrangements of two of Todd Chrisley’s older children.
The show’s success also sparked several since-canceled spin-off series, including “According to Chrisley” and “Growing Up Chrisley.”
Why were Todd and Julie Chrisley in prison?
Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted of defrauding community banks of more than $30 million for personal loans as well as tax evasion in 2022.
They each began their prison sentences in January 2023; Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced to 12 and seven years in prison, respectively. Each of them were set to be released about two years earlier than their original sentences, according to Bureau of Prisons records.
“Chrisley Knows Best” was canceled following the couple’s convictions.
Why were Todd and Julie Chrisley pardoned?
Todd Chrisley and his family members have been vocal backers of Trump — Savannah Chrisley spoke in support of his campaign at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
On May 27, Trump called Savannah Chrisley to notify her of the pending pardons for her parents.
“It’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump said to Savannah Chrisley in a video shared by his administration.
The Chrisleys’ attorney, Alex Little, subsequently said in a statement shared with USA TODAY that the act “corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community.”
“President Trump recognized what we’ve argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile,” the statement said.
Contributing: Jay Stahl and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
