Donald Trump Faces Criticism for Potential Pardons of Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley Convicted of Financial Crimes
During a recent episode of The View, co-host Pleasure Behar expressed her outrage regarding Trump‘s intention to potentially pardon reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were found guilty of serious financial crimes including bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022. Behar stated, “According to this administration, if you are a wealthy reality star who cheats on your taxes and commits fraud, that’s somehow acceptable.” This remark highlights the growing concerns over the perceived favoritism shown towards affluent individuals in legal matters.
The stars of Chrisley Knows Best, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were convicted in 2022 for engaging in bank fraud and tax evasion, despite their claims of innocence throughout the judicial process. Initially, they received sentences of 12 and 7 years, respectively, in 2023. However, their sentences were later reduced to 10 and 5 years. This week, Trump completely vacated their sentences, raising questions about the influence of celebrity status in the judicial system.

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Chrisley Children Respond to Trump’s Pardon of Their Parents, Todd and Julie
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Behar’s outrage was directed at Trump’s decision to grant pardons, particularly amidst a series of recent pardons for individuals associated with right-leaning ideologies who have been convicted of financial crimes. For instance, former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, convicted on federal fraud and bribery charges in 2024, also received a pardon, intensifying the scrutiny surrounding Trump’s actions.
In April, Trump also pardoned Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive who was sentenced for tax crimes. Walczak’s mother attended a recent fundraising dinner hosted by Trump at Mar-a-Lago, highlighting the intertwining of political support and legal leniency.
REALITY STARS TODD & JULIE CHRISLEY PARDONED BY TRUMP: After the president pardoned the reality TV stars of their tax evasion and fraud charges, ‘The View’ co-hosts question if their family’s support of Trump helped their case. pic.twitter.com/s0JbLsV5S5
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Todd and Julie’s daughter, Savannah, has been an outspoken advocate for her parents’ pardons, even addressing the 2024 Republican National Convention in support of Trump, expressing hope that this would lead to their freedom. Her public support underscores the complex relationship between celebrity culture and political influence.
“Poor individuals on Medicaid or food stamps, OK? According to this administration, these are the real moochers in the nation, and they must be taken off of healthcare or food stamps,” Behar lamented, pointing to a stark contrast in how wealthy individuals like the Chrisleys are treated compared to the economically disadvantaged in society.
Ana Navarro echoed Behar’s sentiments, emphasizing that Americans should not become desensitized to such legal double standards. This aligns with how moderator Whoopi Goldberg opened the discussion, asking, “Is anyone going to have a problem with this, or — because this is the law and order president — are people already numb to this?”
Navarro expressed her frustration, stating, “This isn’t normal. This isn’t honest, this isn’t moral.” Her remarks highlight a growing concern regarding the erosion of ethical standards in political pardons and their implications for justice in America.
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Savannah Chrisley Addresses Accusations Surrounding Her Family’s Wealth and Legal Issues
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She added, “Basically, there’s a huge ‘For Sale’ sign on the lawn of the White House. And if you are a supporter or a donor, then you can buy pardons.” This statement underscores concerns regarding the integrity of the political system and the potential for corruption in the granting of pardons.
She also pointed out that “this is coming at the same time that he’s accepting a $400 million jet from the Qataris,” while citing his controversial financial dealings, including “crypto grift,” and Amazon’s $40 million deal with Melania Trump for a documentary, alongside his children managing his various businesses. This highlights the intertwining of personal wealth and political power.
“The profiteering we’re witnessing from Trump and his family during his presidency has no precedent and cannot be accepted or normalized by the American people,” Navarro asserted firmly, emphasizing the need for accountability in leadership.
Sara Haines cautioned against excessive outrage, suggesting it may be a strategic move by Trump. She warned, “If you yell at everything, no one hears anything,” advocating for measured responses to political issues.
“I am more upset about the Qatari jet. I am more upset about the January 6 pardons, which involved violent criminals, the deportations without due process, and the attacks on our federal institutions without cause. These issues, to me, are fundamentally more problematic,” she articulated, highlighting the broader implications of Trump’s policies.
“It’s not to say any of this isn’t bad,” she clarified, “but I believe the problem we’re living in now is that he floods the zone; everyone reacts to everything saying, ‘Don’t normalize it, don’t become numb,’ but I think there is a strategy in choosing your battles.” This statement reflects a complex understanding of political discourse and the importance of prioritizing issues.
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Savannah Chrisley Responds to Accusations of Benefiting from Parents’ Legal Troubles
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Trump’s team released a video of his call to Savannah, informing her of the impending pardon for her parents. Savannah shared her emotional reaction on her social media platform, showcasing the personal impact of this political decision.
“The President called me personally as I was walking into Sam’s Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both of my parents … Both my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow, and I still can’t believe it’s real. I am freaking out,” she revealed. This highlights the intersection of personal and political spheres in the lives of public figures.
As the pardons represent a significant turning point in the ongoing saga of the Chrisley family, Savannah emphasized that the battle against the injustices in the prison system is far from over, reflecting her commitment to advocacy.
“Today is a victory for our family, but the fight against wrongful convictions and injustice within our prison system is far from over. I will continue to use my voice and platform to advocate for those who do not have one,” Savannah stated in a poignant message to Us Weekly, reinforcing her role as an advocate for justice.
According to TMZ, the pardons will also be featured on television, as Savannah and her brother Chase were already filming their own reality series that was set to document their lives while their parents were incarcerated. This development adds another layer to the unfolding narrative of the Chrisley family’s legal and personal challenges.
Now, plans are in place for cameras to capture the emotional reunification of the family in both Florida and Kentucky when Todd and Julie are released, highlighting the personal stories behind the headlines.
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