Donald Trump vows to pardon reality TV stars who were jailed for bank fraud and tax evasio

Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, of "Chrisley Knows Best" fame, convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion, are set to receive presidential pardons from Donald Trump, who has declared he will have them "free and clean" in less than a day. The couple was sentenced to a combined total of 19 years in prison in 2022 for defrauding banks of more than $30 million (£22 million) and evading taxes, showcasing their lavish lifestyle.

However, Mr Trump told their daughter Savannah during a video call, "Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope that we can do it by tomorrow."

Shortly afterwards, in a statement to the press, the former US President remarked: "They've been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing."

This gesture is in line with Trump's history of granting clemency to allies.

Following Todd's declaration of bankruptcy, the Chrisleys allegedly shirked repayment responsibilities, leaving over $20 million (£15 million) in loans outstanding. The hit show was cancelled in 2023 after the incarceration of its celebrity hosts, reports

A White House official, who requested anonymity to discuss yet-to-be-announced decisions, has indicated that presidential pardons for the Chrisleys are on the horizon.

The Chrisleys' lawyer, Alex Little, welcomed the pardon, stating: "President Trump recognised what we've argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile. Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias."

He further remarked: "Todd and Julie's case is exactly why the pardon power exists. Thanks to President Trump, the Chrisley family can now begin healing and rebuilding their lives."

The reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best', which premiered in 2014, showcased the couple's close-knit family and opulent lifestyle, which, according to prosecutors, was funded by bank fraud and tax evasion.

However, before their rise to fame on television, the Chrisleys and a former business associate were accused by prosecutors of submitting fake documents to Atlanta banks to secure illicit loans, using the funds for extravagant spending, and then covering old loans with new fraudulent ones.

Savannah has been contending what she sees as a miscarriage of justice after the sentencing. In 2023, she asserted her parents were "persecuted by rogue prosecutors" - echoing Mr Trump's language around the criminal justice system amid his own legal challenges.