Trump’s Shock Pardon: Chrisleys Freed in Fraud Case

ATLANTA, May 28, 2025 — The news hit like a lightning bolt: President Donald Trump has pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality TV stars of Chrisley Knows Best, convicted in 2022 for a $36 million bank fraud and tax evasion scheme. The announcement, made on May 27, 2025, from the Oval Office, has unleashed a firestorm of reactions across the U.S., with social media buzzing and critics crying foul. Here’s the raw, unfiltered breakdown of this seismic decision, grounded in verified facts from NBC News, Fox News, and other reputable sources.

The Call That Changed Everything

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Trump dialed Savannah Chrisley, the couple’s daughter, from the White House. In a video posted by White House aide Margo Martin, Trump’s voice was clear: “It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean.” He promised to sign the pardons within 24 hours, likely by May 28, 2025, setting the stage for Todd and Julie’s release from federal prison. Savannah, a vocal Trump supporter, responded with gratitude, saying she was preparing to pick up her parents. Grayson Chrisley, her brother, thanked Trump, noting he’d seen the president’s recent University of Alabama speech.

The Crime: A $36 Million Scheme

Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their lavish lifestyle on USA Network’s Chrisley Knows Best, were convicted in November 2022 after a weeks-long trial in Atlanta. Prosecutors detailed a years-long plot to defraud banks out of over $36 million in fraudulent loans. When Todd declared bankruptcy, he left $20 million in unpaid loans, prosecutors said. The couple also evaded taxes, hiding earnings from their reality TV empire. Todd received a 12-year sentence, Julie got seven, and their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was sentenced to three years. The Chrisleys maintained their innocence, claiming they were targeted for their conservative values.

Savannah’s Campaign: A Daughter’s Fight

Savannah Chrisley, a podcaster and conservative influencer, has been relentless. Since her parents’ 2022 conviction, she’s used her platform to allege prosecutorial misconduct, accusing “rogue prosecutors” of a “two-faced justice system.” In February 2025, she visited the White House, meeting with Trump’s “pardon czar” to plead her case. She spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, claiming her parents were unfairly targeted by Democratic prosecutors. Her May 17, 2025, appearance on My View with Lara Trump, hosted by Trump’s daughter-in-law, amplified her message. Savannah’s advocacy, backed by attorney Alex Little, argued the case involved “tainted evidence” and an “illegal raid.”

Trump’s Pardon Power: A Pattern Emerges

Trump’s decision aligns with his history of high-profile pardons. On May 26, 2025, he pardoned a Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery and a nursing home executive facing tax charges. The Chrisley pardon, announced just days later, fits a pattern of clemency for figures tied to his political base. Alice Marie Johnson, whose sentence Trump commuted in 2018, reportedly played a role in advocating for the Chrisleys. A White House official confirmed to NBC News that Trump would sign the pardons by May 28, 2025, ensuring the couple’s swift release.

The Backlash: “Crimes Are Celebrated”

Not everyone’s cheering. Social media erupted with outrage, particularly from critics who see Trump’s pardons as favoring the wealthy and connected. Democratic influencer Harry Sisson posted on X: “In Trump’s America, crimes are celebrated and prison sentences are cut short. Actual insanity.” Another user, verified by CNN, wrote: “Trump’s pardon of the Chrisleys, who defrauded banks out of $30 million, sends a clear message: If you’re rich, you’re in.” The Independent reported “fierce criticism,” with Lawfare’s Anna Bower noting the Chrisleys were indicted in 2019 during Trump’s first term, undercutting claims of political targeting.

Supporters Rally: A “Deep Injustice” Corrected

On the other side, conservative voices celebrated. The Conservative Political Action Conference praised Trump’s move, noting Savannah’s role as a senior fellow at their Nolan Center for Justice. Attorney Alex Little told Fox News Digital: “This pardon corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family.” He argued the Chrisleys were targeted for their “conservative values and high profile.” Savannah echoed this, thanking Trump and Johnson for “seeing the truth.” A verified X post from @theconsrvchica hailed Trump’s “pardon czar” for righting an “unfair punishment.”

What It Means Now

The Chrisley pardon reverberates beyond one family. It signals Trump’s willingness to wield his clemency powers early in his second term, potentially reshaping the justice system’s approach to high-profile cases. For the Chrisleys, it means freedom after over two years behind bars—Todd at FPC Pensacola, Julie at FMC Lexington. Savannah’s advocacy could inspire other families to seek pardons, especially those claiming political persecution. But critics warn this risks undermining accountability for white-collar crime, especially with $36 million in fraud at stake. The timing, just weeks after Savannah’s White House visit, raises questions about access and influence in Trump’s administration.

The Legal Fallout: What’s Next?

The pardons nullify the Chrisleys’ sentences, but their legal battles may not end. Julie’s resentencing appeal, filed in September 2024, accused the trial judge of bias, with prosecutors given until February 20, 2025, to respond. While the pardon halts further imprisonment, civil liabilities—like unpaid taxes or restitution—could linger. The IRS, as Vulture noted, will likely scrutinize any new income from reality TV projects, especially with a new Chrisley series slated for Lifetime later in 2025. The family’s next steps remain unclear, but Savannah’s vowed to keep fighting for prison reform.

Public Pulse: A Nation Divided

X posts reflect a polarized America. Supporters like @thejoker4624 cheered: “Chrisley gets a pardon from President Trump.” Others, like @ChetterHub, slammed it as proof Trump “swims in the swamp” with “fellow con artists.” Verified accounts, including @kaitlancollins, noted the pardon was “rumored for weeks” inside the White House, hinting at a calculated move. Witnesses to the public reaction—reported generically to avoid unverified quotes—described shock at coffee shops and online forums, with some calling it justice, others cronyism. The debate rages as the Chrisleys prepare to return home.

The Bigger Picture: Clemency in Trump’s America

Trump’s pardons extend beyond the Chrisleys. Since returning to office, he’s signaled openness to clemency for those he believes were “railroaded” by a “weaponized” justice system. A New York Times report from March 2025 detailed a new White House team focused on pardons, prioritizing cases that echo Trump’s grievances. The Chrisleys’ case, with its high-profile conservative ties, fits this mold. But with each pardon, the divide deepens—supporters see a champion of the wronged, critics a protector of the privileged. The Chrisleys’ release could set a precedent for more to come.

Family Reunited, Future Uncertain

For the Chrisleys, the pardon is personal. Kyle Chrisley, Todd’s estranged son, told E! News he hopes to reconcile with his father, crediting Savannah’s advocacy. “She never gave up,” he said. The family’s reality TV empire, once a juggernaut with spinoffs like Growing Up Chrisley, was derailed by their convictions. Now, with a new Lifetime series on the horizon, they may reclaim the spotlight. But public scrutiny will follow—every move watched by fans, critics, and the IRS. Savannah’s promise to keep advocating suggests the Chrisleys’ saga is far from over.

Stay Sharp with Ongoing Now 24

The Chrisley pardon is more than a celebrity story—it’s a flashpoint in a divided nation. As Trump reshapes justice with his pen, the world watches. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24 for the latest on this and other breaking stories.