Former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley have stepped back into the spotlight following their release from federal prison, sharing their story in a series of candid interviews and new television projects. The couple, best known for their hit show Chrisley Knows Best, were convicted in 2022 of tax evasion and bank fraud, charges that led to a combined prison sentence of 19 years—12 years for Todd and seven for Julie. However, their narrative took a dramatic turn when President Donald Trump issued them full pardons on May 28, 2025, ending their incarceration after 28 months behind bars.
Their first televised appearance since their release came on June 28, 2025, during an exclusive episode of My View with Lara Trump, hosted by Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of Donald Trump. The interview, which also featured their children Savannah and Grayson Chrisley, provided an intimate look at the family’s journey through the legal system, their time in prison, and the emotional reunion after nearly two and a half years apart.
During the interview, Todd Chrisley expressed profound gratitude toward both God and President Trump. “We owe thanks to God,” he said. “And I say — and 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, so I’m grateful.” Julie Chrisley recounted the moment she learned of the pardon from their daughter Savannah. “She said, ‘He did it! He signed it!’ And I just started busting out crying,” Julie shared. “And everyone was looking around. Then I just hung up. I was so nervous, I just hung up. 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. So they’re like, ‘Are you OK?’ I’m like, ‘I am. I’m getting out of here. I’m getting out of here.’”
Todd also recalled his initial disbelief upon hearing the news. “This guy stops me and goes, ‘Man, I think you just got pardoned.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, okay.’ And I just kept on walking,” he said. Later, a corrections officer confirmed the pardon by checking on him. “And he says, ‘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!’”
The couple’s prison sentences began in January 2023 after their 2022 convictions for tax evasion and defrauding banks of more than $30 million. Todd was incarcerated at FPC Pensacola in Florida, while Julie was held at FMC Lexington in Kentucky. Their release came just one day after the presidential pardon, ending what had been a lengthy and high-profile legal ordeal.
The Chrisleys’ public story is one of both fame and controversy. Their reality show, Chrisley Knows Best, which aired for 10 seasons starting in 2014, showcased their affluent lifestyle and family dynamics in Atlanta and Nashville. Yet, federal prosecutors painted a starkly different picture, accusing them of orchestrating a scheme that began before their television fame, using illicit funds to support their luxurious living.
Despite the convictions, the Chrisleys have maintained their innocence. In a press conference following their release, Todd Chrisley stated, “I was convicted of something that I did not do,” and suggested that Julie’s previous courtroom apology was made under duress to avoid harsher sentencing. “You’re placed in a position as a defendant to either bow down and kiss the ass of the Department of Justice and accept responsibility for things that you did not do in order to avoid a stronger sentence,” he said.
Beyond recounting their personal ordeal, the Chrisleys have pledged to advocate for prison reform and support fellow inmates. Julie spoke about a 77-year-old friend still incarcerated who might die in prison without intervention, and young mothers serving what she described as “crazy sentences.” Todd highlighted the injustice faced by many imprisoned for marijuana offenses that are now largely legalized, urging for retroactive relief. “Let them come home. Let them get on a job. Let them pay taxes,” he said. “If they mess up again, well, listen, the prison doors are wide open.”
Their daughter Savannah Chrisley played a significant role in advocating for their release, publicly campaigning for their pardons and speaking out on prison reform. She appeared on Lara Trump’s show just weeks before the pardons were granted, emphasizing the family’s united front.
Following their prison release and media appearances, the Chrisleys are preparing to return to television in a more active capacity. On June 29, 2025, ABC News Studios’ IMPACT x Nightline premiered The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup, a special focusing on Todd and Julie’s time behind bars and their reflections on freedom and justice. In the trailer, Todd asserted his innocence and expressed that prison had changed him profoundly. “You don’t realize how much freedom means to you until you don’t have it,” he said. “[Prison] has to change you. If it didn’t change you, then you’re not human.”
Looking ahead, the family is set to star in a new reality series tentatively titled The Untitled Chrisley Project, slated to premiere later in 2025 on Lifetime. Todd remarked, “We do have a much bigger story to tell now,” signaling a fresh chapter for the family in the public eye.
The Chrisleys’ story is a complex tapestry of fame, legal battles, family resilience, and ongoing debate about justice and redemption. Their recent interviews and upcoming projects offer a window into their experiences and perspectives, inviting viewers to reconsider the narrative surrounding their convictions and pardons.
