Trump faces backlash for pardoning convicted fraudsters Todd and Julie Chrisley: 'What a disgrace'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is facing a wave of criticism following his controversial decision to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality TV couple convicted of financial crimes.

The Chrisleys, stars of 'Chrisley Knows Best', were serving lengthy prison sentences after being found guilty in 2022 of defrauding banks and evading taxes.

On Tuesday, May 27, the White House confirmed the full presidential pardons, which Trump personally announced to the family via phone, reports Raw Story.

Trump sparks outrage after pardoning convicted reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley

Social media quickly erupted with condemnation. Democratic influencer Harry Sisson called the move “actual insanity,” noting the couple defrauded banks of over $30 million.

“Trump just pardoned TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley who conspired to defraud Atlanta-area banks out of $30 million in fraudulent loans. In Trump’s America, crimes are celebrated and prison sentences are cut short,” he wrote on X.

Others pointed to a pattern. “Another corrupt pardon,” wrote Republicans Against Trump, while Call to Activism sarcastically added, “Trump just pardoned reality show couple Todd and Julie Chrisley. They were convicted for a multimillion dollar bank fraud scheme involving fake documents and tax evasion. Meanwhile, he’s deporting people without due process. What a joke.”

Lawfare reporter Anna Bower noted that the Chrisleys were indicted under a Trump-appointed US attorney during his first term.

“The Chrisleys were indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019, during the first Trump administration. The Trump-nominated U.S. attorney was BJay Pak. In Jan. 2021, Pak was forced to resign after Trump became convinced he wasn’t doing enough to investigate purported election fraud in GA,” Bower wrote on Bluesky.

One user commented, “What a disgrace,” while another user wrote, “They are criminals the defrauded banks 30 million dollars. why pardon them?”

Another commented, “I don’t get this one. $30 million in fraudulent loans. Found guilty by a jury. Why is white collar crime continually forgiven? I don’t like this one. Everyone in the comments clapping because they liked the show. Unreal.”

The pardons come amid other recent clemency decisions from Trump that have sparked debate; this includes Florida healthcare executive Paul Walczak, whose mother Elizabeth Fago donated $1 million at the president's private club in Palm Beach, Florida, where guests were promised face-to-face access to Trump.

Trump grants full pardons to Todd and Julie Chrisley in fraud conviction

Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality series Chrisley Knows Best, have been granted full pardons by President Donald Trump. The couple had been serving sentences following their 2022 convictions on charges of tax evasion and bank fraud, which saw them report to prison in early 2023.

The announcement came on Tuesday, May 27, during a phone call from Trump, 78, to the Chrisley children.

In the call, he claimed the couple had been treated unfairly and assured their children, “It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean. I hope we can do it by tomorrow.”

Todd, 56, and Julie, 52, were accused of securing more than $30 million in fraudulent loans through falsified documents and evading taxes for several years. Despite their convictions and lengthy sentences, Trump’s decision effectively wipes their criminal records clean.

Daughter Savannah Chrisley, who has been the family’s most vocal advocate since her parents' imprisonment, took to Instagram Live shortly after the news broke. Visibly emotional, she said, “My parents get to start their lives over! My phone is going bananas right now, but President Trump gave them a full, unconditional pardon, and for that, I am forever grateful.”

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