In a press conference filled with emotion, family ties, and the unmistakable flair that once made him a reality TV icon, Todd Chrisley broke his silence on May 30 — just two days after being granted a full pardon by former President Donald Trump. Standing side-by-side with his daughter Savannah Chrisley, 27, and flanked by attorneys Alex Little and Zack Lawson, Todd addressed a room full of media and supporters at a Nashville hotel, laying bare his thoughts on freedom, faith, forgiveness — and his fight to clear his name.
“I want to thank President Trump,” Chrisley said unequivocally, signaling the beginning of what may be the most controversial chapter in the already headline-heavy life of the Chrisley Knows Best patriarch. His voice was calm but deliberate. He wasn’t just speaking for himself — he was setting the tone for a family ready to re-enter the public spotlight, not as disgraced felons, but as survivors of what they insist was a miscarriage of justice.
Just 48 hours prior, Todd and his wife Julie Chrisley were behind bars — he at FPC Pensacola in Florida, and she at FMC Lexington in Kentucky. The couple, previously convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion, had been serving lengthy prison sentences: Todd originally faced 12 years (shortened to 9), and Julie was sentenced to 7.
On May 28, their lives changed drastically when Donald Trump included them in a batch of last-minute pardons, effectively commuting their sentences and wiping away over $22 million in court-ordered restitution.
Julie, however, was absent from the press conference, reportedly at home caring for their granddaughter Chloe Chrisley. “Julie and I have been together for over 30 years, and she is my best friend,” Todd said, clearly moved. “Having her home again is like a dream.”
That dream, as it turns out, is being captured on camera.
Savannah Chrisley, who has grown into the family’s de facto spokesperson since her parents’ legal troubles began, took the podium with poise and optimism. “It’s honestly felt like a dream to have them at home,” she said, her voice cracking slightly. Then came the bombshell announcement: the Chrisleys are returning to reality television.
Filming, Savannah confirmed, is already underway for a new show chronicling her parents’ return home and the emotional process of rebuilding their family life after incarceration. For fans of Chrisley Knows Best, the news was met with anticipation and curiosity. How do you rebrand a convicted couple into America’s favorite Southern family again?
But for the Chrisleys, this isn’t about rebranding — it’s about redemption.
Todd used the press conference not only to express gratitude but to stand firm in his conviction that he and Julie were wrongly prosecuted. “I’d have remorse if it was something that I did,” he said flatly. “But I didn’t.”
This isn’t a new stance for Todd. Since the beginning, the Chrisleys have maintained their innocence, despite prosecutors’ claims that they defrauded banks of more than $36 million and evaded taxes by projecting a false image of extreme wealth. In November 2022, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent James E. Dorsey stated, “This sentencing serves notice that no matter a person’s celebrity status, there are severe consequences for defrauding the American tax system.”
Now that they’ve been released and pardoned, critics argue that the Chrisleys were granted leniency because of their celebrity and connections. Todd doesn’t deny that possibility — but he also doesn’t claim any direct involvement in the decision.
“I understand that that’s not something that you can look at and say, well, that had nothing to do with it,” he admitted. “I don’t know if it did, because I wasn’t involved in the process… but I’m grateful to God for whatever reason it was that we were able to get the pardon in the first place.”
The past year and a half has taken a toll on the Chrisley family. Since their sentencing in January 2023, Savannah has taken over custody of her younger brother Grayson and niece Chloe, all while fighting to keep the family brand intact. The burden has been immense.
“It’s been hard,” she shared in earlier interviews. “But I had to grow up fast. I couldn’t let my parents down.”
Now, as the family begins to rebuild, the bond between them appears stronger than ever. Todd spoke with pride about Savannah and her efforts, and when asked if they plan to remain in Nashville, he was vague but warm.
“Nashville will always have a special place in our hearts,” he said. “But we have other plans.”
Could those plans include a cross-country move? A Hollywood return? Time will tell, but the Chrisleys seem to be positioning themselves for a fresh chapter — and perhaps a new audience.
During the press conference, Todd was asked about Julie’s previous apology in a September 2024 hearing. At that time, Julie had expressed remorse for “my actions and what led me to where I am today,” prompting questions about whether the family was finally taking responsibility.
Todd’s explanation was blunt: she had no choice.
“You’re placed in a position as a defendant to either bow down to the Department of Justice and accept responsibility for things that you did not do in order to avoid a stronger sentence,” he said. “The corruption that went on in our case is going to continue to unfold.”
Attorney Alex Little echoed that sentiment, promising that more evidence will come to light — evidence he believes will vindicate the Chrisleys completely.
Despite the serious topics discussed, Todd still managed to inject a bit of the humor and charm that made him a reality star in the first place. He joked that he emerged from prison with a “Bureau of Prisons glow” — crediting perhaps the “residual Botox that never wore off.”
He also shared how he maintained a strict fitness regimen, working out daily with a group of fellow inmates. But it wasn’t just his body that underwent a transformation — it was his faith.
“I have nothing to do other than to read and to work out,” he explained. “And so I worked out every morning at 10:45 a.m. until 12 with my buddies there, and I read. My walk with Christ became deeper.”
One of the most poignant moments came when he described leaving the prison.
“All I could think about was the guys that I was leaving behind,” Todd said, voice thick with emotion. “They were lined up shouting when I was walking out, and they were saying, ‘Don’t leave; don’t forget us.’”
The Chrisleys have always lived in the spotlight, but since their indictment in 2019, the light has often been harsh. Many still view them as the face of financial fraud, with their high-profile lifestyle serving as both the motive and evidence.
But the family insists that much of the narrative was distorted — and that the legal system failed them. Whether they can change public perception remains to be seen, but their new show is certainly part of the plan.
“I’m not afraid to show the ugly parts,” Savannah said. “We’ve lived through hell, but we’re still here. That says something.”
With a clean legal slate, a reality show in the works, and public interest reignited, the Chrisleys are poised to re-enter American pop culture — this time with a vengeance.
Their legal team promises to reveal more about alleged corruption in the case. Todd, meanwhile, seems equally committed to rebuilding his personal life, reconnecting with his wife, and supporting his children.
But the questions won’t go away easily.
Were they pardoned because of celebrity status? Is justice truly blind? Can a family so publicly convicted turn the tide and reclaim their legacy?
What’s certain is that Todd Chrisley isn’t hiding anymore. He’s speaking out, standing tall, and inviting the world to watch as his story continues.
And in true Chrisley fashion, he’s doing it all with a touch of defiance, a lot of flair, and — whether you like it or not — cameras rolling.