In their first major interview since being released from federal prison, reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley are breaking their silence about life behind bars — and the headline-making presidential pardon that set them free.
The former Chrisley Knows Best stars were released just over a month ago after serving two years of their respective 12- and 7-year sentences for bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Their early release came after a controversial May pardon from President Donald Trump.
“You don’t realize how much your freedom means to you until it’s gone,” Todd told ABC News’ Juju Chang in IMPACT x Nightline: The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup, now streaming on Hulu.
‘Like your first sexual encounter’: Life after lockup
Following their release, the Chrisleys wasted no time indulging in long-missed comforts — including meals from Pizza Hut and Zaxby’s. Todd joked that his first shower back home was “almost like your first sexual encounter.”
But their return to normal life followed what they described as deeply challenging conditions in prison. Todd reported exposure to black mold and asbestos at his Florida facility, while Julie, incarcerated in Kentucky, said her health deteriorated, including the development of asthma.
“I could see myself getting worse,” she said.
In response, the Federal Bureau of Prisons defended its facilities as “safe, secure, and humane,” stating they provide climate control and nutritionally adequate meals.
Savannah Chrisley’s fight — and Trump’s call
Their daughter Savannah, 26, played a pivotal role in securing their freedom. As the guardian of her younger brother Grayson and niece Chloe, she became the family’s most vocal advocate, lobbying for her parents’ release while navigating legal and political channels.
“I forced myself into rooms I was never invited into,” she told ABC. “I educated myself.”
Savannah, a public Trump supporter, had spoken at the 2024 Republican National Convention and later received a personal call from the president informing her of his decision to grant the pardon.
The move sparked backlash, with critics noting both a jury conviction and an upheld appeal. Todd defended the pardon, questioning the fairness of their trial and pointing to other high-profile pardons granted by presidents.
‘No apology’ and a new focus on reform
Despite their convictions, the couple remains unapologetic about their lifestyle.
“I don’t owe anyone an apology for the money I’ve made,” Todd said.
Instead, their post-prison focus has shifted toward prison reform — an issue they say they became passionate about through personal experience.
“I’ve met incredible women behind bars,” Julie said. “Women I’ll be friends with for life.”
Back to TV — and possibly Charleston
The Chrisleys, who rose to fame through their USA Network reality series that aired from 2014 to 2023, plan to return to television with a new series on Lifetime. They’re also considering a move to Charleston, South Carolina, where they hope to renovate a mansion into a hotel — with cameras capturing the transformation.
“I’ve always told my children: it doesn’t matter what people think of you, unless it makes you doubt who you are at your core,” Todd said. “And I’ve never questioned who I am.”
