Latest news with #TigerKing
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimmy Kimmel Roasts Trump for Pardoning Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley: The ‘Real Reason' Is Because Their ‘Daughter Is Good Looking' And Supports Him
Jimmy Kimmel latest gripe against Donald Trump is his decision to pardon reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who headlined the USA Network series 'Chrisley Knows Best' for years before being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. 'You know, the real reason Trump released the Chrisleys is because, A, their daughter's good looking, and B, she spoke in support of him last year at the RNC,' Kimmel said during his May 28 late night monologue. 'Turns out that was a savvy move. President Trump didn't just commute their sentences. He gave them a full, unconditional pardon.' More from Variety Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration a Day After Criticizing 'Big Beautiful' Spending Bill Trump Reacts Angrily to Question About Wall Street's 'TACO Trade,' Meaning 'Trump Always Chickens Out' on His Tariff Threats: 'It's Called Negotiation' Trump Pardons Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley Following Tax Evasion and Bank Fraud Convictions Todd and Julie Chrisley's daughter, Savannah, is an outspoken Trump supporter on social media. She reacted to the news of her parents' pardon in a video post in which she said: 'Thank you, President Trump, and I vow to stand next to you and your administration in exposing the corruption and continue fighting for the men and women that are in prison.' Kimmel fired back: 'Cool, we'll get you a flight on the next ticket to El Salvador.' 'You know, Joe Exotic is livid today,' Kimmel added, referring to the viral subject of Netflix's 'Tiger King' documentary. 'He has been begging Trump for a pardon for quite some time, and now they got it instead… He's so desperate, he is now begging Khloe Kardashian to ask Kim Kardashian to ask Donald Trump to help him get out of jail. Being alive in 2025, it's like always being on mushrooms.' In June 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of falsifying documents to defraud Atlanta banks out of more than $30 million through fraudulent loans. They also hid millions of dollars they earned from their reality show from the IRS, a federal jury found. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison while Julie was sentenced to serve seven. Before Trump's pardon, the couple was supposed to stay in prison for another three to seven years. Trump, who said in a video post that Todd and Julie had received a 'a pretty harsh treatment' for their crimes, reached out to Savannah Chrisley ahead of the pardon and told her: 'It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow. We'll try getting it done tomorrow. I don't know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good life.' In his latest monologue, Kimmel also called out Trump for some of his other ridiculous pardons as of late. 'He also granted clemency to a man convicted of tax evasion a month after his mom dropped a million bucks at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago,' Kimmel said. 'Paul Walczak was an executive at a nursing home [who] withheld more than $10 million from the paychecks of the nurses, doctors, and others who worked at his facilities, and used that money to buy a $2 million yacht and a bunch of stuff at Bergdorf's and Cartier.' 'So he's good. He's a good guy,' Kimmel joked. 'When [Walczak] was sentenced, the judge told him there's 'no get-out-of-jail-free card for the rich. And he was right: the card costs a million dollars and is to be delivered in person by his mommy.'Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley released from prison after Trump pardon
The family's legal representative said in a statement that both Chrisleys are on the "way home to Nashville." Earlier in the day, the president signed paperwork granting full pardons to the "Chrisley Knows Best" stars, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY. The couple, who documented their family life on USA Network reality shows, had been in prison since January 2023, serving up to 10 years for using fraudulent loans to defraud community banks in Georgia. Their 2022 conviction also found them guilty of defrauding the IRS and committing tax evasion; Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud. On May 27, Trump called the Chrisleys' middle daughter, Savannah Chrisley, to let her know her parents were "going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow." Savannah, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July and has actively championed her parents' release, celebrated the news in a video she posted to Instagram May 27 and announced she was preparing for their return. "We're getting some clothes together for mom and dad, getting their room put together upstairs, and I'm just speechless. I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with my family along the way and for loving us and supporting us," she said. "My parents get to start their lives over," she continued. "President Trump didn't just commute their sentences. He gave them a full, unconditional, pardon. So for that I am forever grateful." 'He keeps his word' Chrisley family reacts to Trump pardon How long were the Chrisleys in prison? Julie Chrisley, 52, has been serving her seven-year prison sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Her most recent release date prior to the pardon was slated for January 2028. Todd Chrisley has been serving time at FPC Pensacola and was expected to be released April 7, 2032. "Chrisley Knows Best" aired on USA Network for 10 seasons, from 2014 through 2023. "Growing Up Chrisley," a spin-off featuring the couple's adult children, Chase and Savannah Chrisley, went on for four seasons after its 2019 premiere. Joe Exotic also seeking pardon from Donald Trump Amid the Todd and Julie Chrisley's pardon from Trump, reality TV star Joe Exotic, who's currently in prison, is wondering why the president isn't returning his calls. "Donald J. Trump please restore freedom for Joe Exotic so he can go back to doing good in the world," the former businessman shared on his X account. "Joe Exotic did not hurt anyone. Joe Exotic did not pay anyone. Joe Exotic had no plans to hurt anyone. Joe Exotic has suffered seven years behind bars being isolated, abused, and treated in ways no American should ever endure." More: 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic is married: 'Meet my husband' Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also shared a press release that further expressed his disappointment. "I have never been more disappointed in my life that President Trump is pardoning all of these people that have actually committed crimes and yet the President leaves me in here as an innocent man," read the statement.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
White House Addresses Tiger King 's Joe Exotic Requesting Pardon
Originally appeared on E! Online Joe Exotic will remain in prison until further notice. The White House responded to the Tiger King docuseries subject's request to be pardoned by President Donald Trump over his conviction for the attempted murder-for-hire of his rival Carole Baskin, for which he is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence in Florida. Addressing the inquiry, a White House official told E! News May 28, "We do not speculate on pardons that may or may not happen." Prior to the executive branch's statement, Exotic—who was convicted of 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire in 2020 but has long proclaimed his innocence—called out Trump for issuing full pardons for Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley over their 2022 tax fraud convictions before helping him out. "I guess being innocent is not enough in America," the 62-year-old wrote in a message on X May 27 before noting that he's also been battling late-stage prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2021. "They all admitted to perjury on world television but yet I'm left to die of cancer before I can get any help." More from E! Online Brad Pitt Breaks Silence on Finalizing Angelina Jolie Divorce Duck Dynasty's Korie Robertson Says Phil Robertson's Health Declined 'Really Rapidly' Before His Death Todd Chrisley Released From Prison After Donald Trump Pardon He added, "Why is it the entire world can see the evidence but the White House refuses to acknowledge that they did this to me knowing that they were lying." Following the message, many came out in support of Exotic being pardoned, with one user writing on X, "@realDonaldTrump free the Tiger King." Another theorized that it would happen soon, saying, "I have a feeling your gonna be on the list of pardons just hang in there." And while Exotic may be looking to get out of his prison sentence, which is currently scheduled to end in 2041, his time behind bars hasn't only been filled with negative experiences. After all, last month, the former big cat owner announced that he tied the knot with a fellow prison inmate. 'Never been more proud of someone,' Exotic wrote on X April 21, alongside a photo of him and his partner in matching suits at the wedding. 'Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado.' As for the Chrisleys, read on for all the details on their legal case. Indicted on Tax Evasion and Other ChargesTodd and Julie Found GuiltySentenced to Multiple Years in PrisonStarting Their SentencesNo ContactTodd Details Filthy Prison ConditionsSavannah Chrisley Speaks OutJulie's Prison Sentence OverturnedA Tearful ApologyPresident Donald Trump Pardons the Chrisleys For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Live: Todd Chrisley to be released from prison after Trump pardon
(NewsNation) — A day after being pardoned by President Donald Trump, reality TV star Todd Chrisley is set to be released from the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday. Trump pardoned reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, a celebrity couple convicted of bank and tax fraud in 2022. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie Chrisley received seven years. Diddy 'definitely should walk,' says Suge Knight: Exclusive Their daughter Savannah Chrisley exclusively told NewsNation that Trump called her while she was walking into a grocery store. She said Trump told her he didn't know her parents personally but wished them 'a good life.' Trump was joined for the call by 'pardon czar' Alice Johnson, whose sentence he commuted during his first term. Savannah Chrisley has publicly advocated for her parents' release, arguing their sentences were excessive. She told a crowd at the 2024 Republican National Convention that they were the victims of a 'two-faced justice system.' 'If I [believed] that my parents were guilty of what they did, then yes, they should have gone to prison,' Savannah Chrisley told 'On Balance' on Tuesday. 'I do not believe that even if they were guilty, the time they got was … I mean, it was absolutely insane.' The couple's 29th wedding anniversary was May 25, and Chrisley said her parents would have 'a late wedding anniversary' celebration upon their release. 'Tiger King' star 'Doc' Antle set for sentencing NewsNation's Brian Entin has talked exclusively to Todd Chrisley from prison twice. In December, the former real estate tycoon said he was concerned about conditions at the Pensacola, Fla., facility. He told NewsNation that he and other inmates were subjected to filthy conditions. He said prosecutors and prison staff had it out for him. 'The prosecutor said that we were the southern version of the Trumps,' he said. 'I'm not going to have someone like him break my family. And that's what he wanted to do, but he's not been able to do that.' NewsNation's Kellie Meyer and Damita Menezes contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Julie and Todd Chrisley will be released from prison as Trump signs full pardon
Julie and Todd Chrisley will be released from prison as Trump signs full pardon Show Caption Hide Caption Trump set to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley President Trump called Savannah Chrisley from the Oval Office in the White House to tell her he wants to pardon her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley. President Trump has officially pardoned Julie and Todd Chrisley. On May 28, the president signed paperwork granting full pardons to the "Chrisley Knows Best" stars, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY. The couple, who documented their family life on USA Network reality shows, had been in prison since January 2023, serving up to 10 years for using fraudulent loans to defraud community banks in Georgia. Their 2022 conviction also found them guilty of defrauding the IRS and committing tax evasion; Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud. On May 27, Trump called the Chrisleys' middle daughter, Savannah Chrisley, to let her know her parents were "going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow." Savannah, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July and has actively championed her parents' release, celebrated the news in a video she posted to Instagram May 27 and announced she was preparing for their return. "We're getting some clothes together for mom and dad, getting their room put together upstairs, and I'm just speechless. I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with my family along the way and for loving us and supporting us," she said. "My parents get to start their lives over," she continued. "President Trump didn't just commute their sentences. He gave them a full, unconditional, pardon. So for that I am forever grateful." 'He keeps his word' Chrisley family reacts to Trump pardon How long were the Chrisleys in prison? Julie Chrisley, 52, has been serving her seven-year prison sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Her most recent release date prior to the pardon was slated for January 2028. Todd Chrisley has been serving time at FPC Pensacola and was expected to be released April 7, 2032. "Chrisley Knows Best" aired on USA Network for 10 seasons, from 2014 through 2023. "Growing Up Chrisley," a spin-off featuring the couple's adult children, Chase and Savannah Chrisley, went on for four seasons after its 2019 premiere. Joe Exotic also seeking pardon from Donald Trump Amid the Todd and Julie Chrisley's pardon from Trump, reality TV star Joe Exotic, who's currently in prison, is wondering why the president isn't returning his calls. "Donald J. Trump please restore freedom for Joe Exotic so he can go back to doing good in the world," the former businessman shared on his X account. "Joe Exotic did not hurt anyone. Joe Exotic did not pay anyone. Joe Exotic had no plans to hurt anyone. Joe Exotic has suffered seven years behind bars being isolated, abused, and treated in ways no American should ever endure." More: 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic is married: 'Meet my husband' Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also shared a press release that further expressed his disappointment. "I have never been more disappointed in my life that President Trump is pardoning all of these people that have actually committed crimes and yet the President leaves me in here as an innocent man," read the statement.
