May 27, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump to pardon reality TV stars convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud

Sareen Habeshian

Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley arrive at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards held at T-Mobile Arena on April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic) — Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley on April 2, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic

President Trump will issue pardons for reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, the White House announced on Tuesday.

The big picture: The Chrisleys, who starred on "Chrisley Knows Best" documenting their lavish lifestyle, were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022.

Driving the news: Trump called their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, to inform her he would issue a pardon, a video posted on X by White House officials shows.

"Your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow," Trump said. "They were given pretty harsh treatment."

Zoom in: Influencer and reality star Savannah Chrisley, while seeking her parent's release, filmed an episode of "My View with Lara Trump" with the president's daughter this month.

She was also a guest speaker at the Republican National Convention ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Zoom out: Trump also issued a pardon Tuesday for Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive who pleaded guilty to tax crimes last year.

Walczak's mother, Elizabeth Fago, raised millions of dollars for Trump's campaigns and attended a $1-million-per-person fundraiser dinner at Mar-a-Lago last month, the New York Times reported.

Go deeper: Trump says he'll pardon ex-sheriff convicted of bribery

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Trump to pardon reality TV stars convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud

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