Todd Chrisley, 56, and Julie Chrisley, 52, released from federal prison May 28 after being pardoned by President Donald Trump, have a new reality television show in the works.
The couple, known for their reality television series “Chrisley Knows Best” and their highly publicized trial and convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion, were released from federal prison two years after beginning their sentences.
“I want to thank, first and foremost, my lord and savior,” said Todd Chrisley during a news conference in Nashville. “Because that’s who got me through this.”
Julie Chrisley was not at the news conference and was instead a home with daughter Chole Chrisley, Todd Chrisley added.
“I fought hard and I was exhausted and I begged for meetings,” said daughter Savannah Chrisley during a new conference in Nashville. “There was nothing that I was never too good to ask.”
Here’s what to know about the pardon and what comes next for the Chrisleys.
Why did Donald Trump pardon the Chrisleys?
In an X post May 27 from spokesperson Margo Martin, Trump called the Chrisleys’ middle daughter, Savannah Chrisley — who has been a dedicated advocate for her parents’ release — to share the news of the impending release.
“It’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope we can do it by tomorrow,” Trump told the reality TV star and influencer, as his “pardon czar,” Alice Marie Johnson, stood next to him.
The couple’s pardon came amid a flurry of high-profile pardons from Trump, including those of a former Republican congressman, a Republican Connecticut governor, rapper NBA YoungBoy, a former Chicago gang leader, and an Army lieutenant who was convicted for flaunting COVID regulations.
“This pardon corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community,” the Chrisleys’ attorney, Alex Little, said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
“President Trump recognized what we’ve argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile,” Little added and went on to claim the couple’s “prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias.”
Why were Todd and Julie Chrisley in prison?
After a three-week trial, Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty on all counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors stated that they used falsified financial documents to secure over $36 million in loans from community banks.
“The Chrisleys spent the money on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate, and travel – and used new fraudulent loans to pay back old ones,” the Justice Department said. After spending the money, the Chrisleys filed for bankruptcy to avoid more than $20 million in repayments.
The couple kept corporate tax accounts under Julie Chrisley’s name to evade delinquent taxes owed by Todd Chrisley, and later transferred them to a relative to further conceal their income from the IRS. According to the DOJ, the Chrisleys failed to file tax returns or pay taxes for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Julie Chrisley was also convicted of obstruction of justice for submitting a false document in response to a grand jury subpoena. Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was convicted of multiple tax-related offenses.
In November 2022, Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Florida’s Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence at Kentucky’s Federal Medical Center in Lexington. They began their prison sentences in January 2023.
Are the Chrisleys getting a new reality TV show? Lifetime gives green light
The Chrisley family is slated to make their return to television with a new, untitled docuseries on Lifetime. According to Variety, the show will revolve around what life has been like for the Chrisley clan following Todd and Julie’s prison sentence.
It seeks to follow family members Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, Grayson Chrisley, Chloe Chrisley and Nanny Faye Chrisley, USA TODAY reported. According to the logline of the show, “the Chrisleys don’t know best anymore, but they’re doing their best to be there for each other.”
“The family faces the challenge of carrying on the Chrisley name and legacy on their own with only phone calls and brief visits with their incarcerated parents. While Savannah maintains custody of her younger siblings, Chloe and Grayson, she has been fighting tirelessly for a Presidential pardon to free her parents. Meanwhile, Chase is addressing some life struggles while building his new business and navigating his relationship with girlfriend Jodi,” a synopsis from Lifetime reads, via Variety.
Both Savannah and Chase will serve as executive producers of the show. The project is being produced by Bunim/Murray Productions, a part of Banijay Americas.
The series is scheduled to premiere later in 2025 and will be announced at a later date.
