Latest news with #Todd
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Todd Chrisley opens up about life in prison, denies feeling remorse after Trump pardon
Todd Chrisley opens up about life in prison, denies feeling remorse after Trump pardon Show Caption Hide Caption Trump pardons reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley President Trump called Savannah Chrisley from the Oval Office in the White House to tell her he wanted to pardon her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley. Todd Chrisley spoke publicly for the first time after his release from prison following Pres. Donald Trump's full pardon. "I want to thank President Trump," Todd Chrisley said during a May 30 press conference with his middle daughter Savannah Chrisley, 27, at a Nashville hotel. They were joined by attorneys Alex Little and Zack Lawson. When Savannah took the podium, she announced the "Chrisley Knows Best" stars will be returning to reality television. Filming has already begun on a new show that will document the reunification of Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley. "It's honestly felt like a dream to have them at home," Savannah said. Todd and Julie Chrisley had their prison sentences commuted by Trump on May 28, and they were released from their respective federal prisons hours later. They were each serving time for bank fraud and tax evasion. When asked if the family plans to stay in Nashville, Todd Chrisley did not commit. "Nashville will always have a special place in our heart, but we have other plans," he said. Julie was not at the news conference because she was at home with daughter Chole Chrisley, Todd said. "Julie and I have been together for over 30 years, and she is my best friend," he added. The sprawling reality TV family: See where the 'Chrisley Knows Best' stars are now 'Nothing to do other than to read and to work out' Todd Chrisley had been imprisoned at FPC Pensacola in Florida, while Julie Chrisley was incarcerated in Kentucky at FMC Lexington. Todd Chrisley said he'd maintained a fitness regimen and joked about his Bureau of Prisons "glow," saying, "Maybe it's all the residual Botox that never wore off." He said he also grew in his faith while behind bars. "I have nothing to do other than to read and to work out," he said. "And so I worked out every morning at 10:45 a.m. until 12 with my buddies there, and I read and my walk with Christ became deeper." Todd Chrisley denies having 'remorse' Todd took the opportunity to maintain his innocence, saying, "I'd have remorse if it was something that I did." When asked what Todd Chrisley would say to people who think he and his wife were only pardoned because of their status, he said he could understand it. "I understand that that's not something that you can look at and say, well, that had nothing to do with it," he said. "I don't know if it did, because I wasn't involved in the if that's the case, I don't know how to address the fact that if it is the case, but I'm grateful to God for whatever reason it was that we were able to get the pardon in the first place." 'My dad is just jacked' Todd and Julie Chrisley's children react to Trump pardon Todd, Savannah Chrisley say family was targeted for status During a September 2024 hearing, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Julie Chrisley apologized "for my actions and what led me to where I am today." When asked about this apology during the May 30 press conference, Todd Chrisley argued she had no other options. "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. "And the corruption that went on in our case is going to continue to unfold, and (attorney) Alex (Little) is going to continue to give each and every one of you the evidence." USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia for comment. What crimes were Julie and Todd Chrisley accused of committing? The Chrisleys were first indicted in Georgia federal court in August 2019, four years after the couple moved to the Belle Meade area of Nashville. During their trial, prosecutors said the Chrisleys defrauded banks of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans and received millions in proceeds, according to court records. "The Chrisleys defrauded financial institutions and the Federal Government through tax evasion and other fraudulent means in an effort to minimize their tax liability (and) project an image of wealth," said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey in a November 2022 news release following the Chrisleys' sentencing. "This sentencing serves notice that no matter a person's celebrity status, there are severe consequences for defrauding the American tax system." Julie was sentenced to seven years, while Todd was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison — which was shortened to nine years by the time of his release. They began serving their sentences in January 2023. U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross had ordered the couple to forfeit more than a combined $22 million as pardon of their sentences; Trump's pardon wipes that debt clean as it was part of the court order and not a civil matter. Todd Chrisley said he'd felt numb after learning he was being pardoned. "All I could think about was the guys that I was leaving behind," Todd Chrisley said. "And when I left that day, there was only 317 men in our camp, but they were lined up shouting when I was walking out, and they were saying, 'Don't leave; don't forget us.'"
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Todd Chrisley Channels Donald Trump In First Press Conference
Todd Chrisley has wasted no time in entering fight mode after his release from prison. The Chrisley family patriarch shared a few thoughts with the public as he enjoyed the first few hours of his newly minted presidential pardon after spending 2+ years behind bars. Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisley, got lucky on May 27 when President Donald Trump informed their prison reform activist daughter, Savannah Trump, about his decision to let her parents walk free. The Chrisley family and their legal team held a press conference in Nashville to discuss this development. The family appeared alongside attorneys Alex Little and Zack Lawson in Nashville on Friday. Savannah opened the event by describing her parents' pardons as delightful. As always, she expressed gratitude to the Trump administration and others who helped secure their release. But she minced no words for the Department of Justice, which she claimed has been politicized. As soon as the younger Chrisley was done, Todd began his speech by thanking everyone for their support. He shone the light on Savannah, who was at the forefront of their fight for freedom from prison, acknowledging the battles she fought while their situation went on. As reported by TMZ, Todd also reaffirmed his belief that he was wrongfully convicted. Todd wasted no time in hitting the ground running. During his press conference, the reality star expressed his intention to highlight the injustices federal inmates experienced nationwide. He specifically showed interest in the poor conditions Black inmates are subjected to, with a promise to expose every irregularity in the prison system. As the briefing went on, the reality star got chatty with a reporter who asked him if he felt any remorse for his actions, which got him locked up. In response, Todd jokingly suggested that a reporter who inquired about his remorse might be affiliated with CNN, echoing a familiar tactic used by Trump. Todd also shared bits from his daily prison life, revealing that he maintained a routine that included working out for over an hour, reading, and speaking with Savannah every day. While Savannah got the golden opportunity to speak with her doting dad every day, her mom could not enjoy the luxury. As reported by The Blast, Savannah revealed in a March episode of her podcast that her parents, who were serving time at separate federal prisons at the time, had not spoken to each other since their sentence began. Todd served his time in Florida, while Julie was held in a federal correctional center in Kentucky. Savannah described the situation as a challenge, noting that it should never be that way. The 27-year-old clarified that the lack of dialogue between her parents was absolutely not of their doing but instead a testament to the inefficiency of the prison system. She slammed the correctional facility for never making "anything easy" for inmates, including her mother and father. When news of Todd and Julie's presidential pardon landed on Savannah's table, she joyfully contacted her parents to inform them about their homecoming. "They didn't believe it. I think it literally just came in from nowhere," the podcaster detailed during the press conference. As shared by The Blast, Savannah recalled receiving the presidential call that her parents were coming home while she went shopping. Savannah expressed her gratitude to Trump and his administration, stating that she would always be thankful for their support. She shared her excitement about the preparations she and her siblings were making for their parents' return, including gathering clothes and organizing their room upstairs. Overwhelmed with emotion, she encompassed her feelings with a simple word: "speechless." The podcaster responded to her critics who alleged that she had used unethical means to obtain President Donald Trump's signature on the pardon documents. "I didn't have to do anything. I simply stood firm in my beliefs and convictions, fighting for my parents and what is right," she emphasized to the naysayers. The Blast shared last year that during her resentencing hearing last September, the matriarch of the Chrisley family became emotional as she addressed her family in court. Reflecting on her time behind bars, she expressed deep remorse for her actions that led to the family's current situation. In a heartfelt apology, she conveyed her feelings to the court and specifically to her older children, Savannah and Chase, who were present. Julie acknowledged the significant impact her incarceration had on her family, stating, "This has been the most difficult part of my life," and she lamented not being able to repay her children for their struggles. She concluded by sharing that she had been working on developing new skills to strengthen her bond with her family. Julie bagged a seven-year prison sentence alongside her husband in 2022, who got a twelve. She served her time at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, until her presidential pardon three days ago. Will Todd Chrisley live up to his promises on prison reforms?
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Todd Chrisley speaks out after Trump pardon, alleges racial injustice at FPC Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Reality TV star Todd Chrisley and his daughter, Savannah Chrisley, held a press conference Friday morning for the first time since under a presidential pardon. 'When she called me, she was crying': Nanny Faye's local friend on Todd Chrisley's release During the press conference, Todd discussed the conditions inside the prison camp he was in — the Federal Correctional Institution in Pensacola. WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE According to Todd, not all 317 men inside FCP Pensacola were treated the same. 'Being in the prison system, anyone that says that it's a fair shake, it's not, because I dealt with young, African American males in the prison that I was in that were not treated the same,' said Todd. 'They were denied programming, they were denied access to certain things. I was not denied that.' Todd followed this comment by saying he believes society needs to look at the bigger picture and realize 'we are one.' According to an Associated Press report from December 2024, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is closing and demolishing its Pensacola location due to 'significant disrepair.' 'I will continue to fight for all the guys that I dealt with and that I was blessed to be with at FCP Pensacola,' said Todd. 'I will continue to expose the injustices that go on there and throughout the bureau of prisons.' Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, starred on the USA Network reality series 'Chrisley Knows Best' from 2014-2023. The couple were found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Julie was sentenced to seven. Both Chrisleys reported to their respective prisons in January 2023. this week, and both were released from prison on Wednesday, May 28. Todd served at FCP Pensacola; Julie served at Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Fairhope and Daphne hit by 80 mph winds as surprise storm downs trees across Baldwin County This story is developing. News 5 will update this article as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 3: What we know so far
'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 3: What we know so far Show Caption Hide Caption Trump pardons reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley President Trump called Savannah Chrisley from the Oval Office in the White House to tell her he wanted to pardon her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley. Grab a dirty soda and memorize the latest TikTok trend, because #MomTok appears to be here to stay − at least for now. After a successful inaugural season that premiered last year, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" returned for Season 2 earlier in May. The Hulu reality show follows a group of TikTok influencer moms and their Mormon friend group on the heels of a scandal around "soft swinging" − couples sharing partners with limited sexual contact. With the second season in the books, fans may be wondering if more episodes are on the way. Here's everything we know so far about a possible third season for "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." Will there be a 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 3? While Hulu hasn't formally announced a third season for "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," the show has been renewed for more episodes. After the show's first season, it was picked up for 20 additional episodes, a Hulu spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY. The second season had ten episodes, meaning ten more are expected to be in the works. 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives': Mikayla Matthews speaks out on childhood sexual abuse 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 3 premiere date While a specific release date has not been announced, a Hulu spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY that more episodes are set to be released later this year. Whitney Leavitt, a recurring cast member from the first and second seasons, told Us Weekly in May that the cast is "filming right now." The first season premiered in September 2024, and the second one − which started filming in October 2024, according to Variety − came out a little over six months later in May. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
New York Post
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Savannah Chrisley responds to rumors she ‘slept' with someone for her parents' pardon
When it comes to her life, Savannah Chrisley knows best. And the 27-year-old reality star is making it clear once and for all about what led to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, being pardoned by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Despite rumors that their prison release was obtained through favors, Savannah set the record straight during a press conference alongside her dad, 56, on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee. Advertisement 5 Savannah Chrisley speaks at a press conference on Friday. AP 'Obviously, the biggest misconception right now is that I either paid for a pardon or slept for a pardon,' she told reporters. 'That's the biggest misconception right now, and if people knew the countless hours and the money and the time that I spent going to D.C., literally with not a meeting scheduled, and I just got on a plane and went and said, 'I'm going to be in the right room at the right time and meet the right people.'' Reflecting on all of the work she put into their advocacy and release, Savannah added, 'I fought hard, and I was exhausted, and I begged for meetings. I was never too good to ask. That's the thing, is people think, 'Oh, you're a celebrity, you're white, you have money.' That we got an upper hand, and we didn't.' Advertisement 5 Todd Chrisley speaks at a press conference on Friday. REUTERS 'I had to fight, and I was relentless, and that's how it happened,' she explained. Todd and Julie, 52, were indicted in 2019 after federal prosecutors accused them of submitting fake documents to banks in order to garner more than $30 million in loans. Although the couple has maintained their innocence, Todd was sentenced to 12 years while Julie was set to serve seven. At the time of their release, both parties each served a little over two years of their sentences. Advertisement Also, during the press conference, Savannah and Todd addressed coming back to television as a family two years after their reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best' ended in 2023 after 10 seasons. Todd shared he and his wife of 29 years 'started filming literally the night that we got home,' which was on Wednesday. 5 Todd Chrisley during a press conference in Nashville, Tennessee. REUTERS 5 Savannah Chrisley outside her dad's prison. FOX10 News Advertisement 'As soon as we got home, so I think with this new series, you will see the first time he and mom see each other for the first time,' Savannah chimed in. A docuseries with Lifetime had been in the works following the 'Special Forces' star along with her siblings Chase, 28, Grayson, 19, Chloe Chrisley, 12, and Nanny Faye Chrisley as they navigate life without Todd and Julie. 'We obviously, we had been filming, and we had just wrapped filming for all intents and purposes and then we get the call that they had been pardoned, so we picked right back up,' Savannah revealed. 'And we're excited because I think this new show is going to give, first off, it's gonna give people a look into the trial and things that we went through and we're gonna set the record straight, put some documents out there.' 5 Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley. Instagram/@juliechrisley The podcast host noted the series will allow her family to come 'full circle' and 'move forward with our lives' after 'Mom and Dad are pardoned.' 'I know for me personally, now is — I get to be a normal 27-year-old, almost 28,' Savannah gushed. 'And so my goal, it's like, we were talking last time, it's like I'm traveling to 30 countries by the time I turn 30.'
