Why Todd Chrisley REFUSES to Apologize After Prison Release
Chrisleys Unfiltered: One Month After Pardon, Todd Professes No Remorse While Julie Recalls Tears of Freedom
A month after their surprise presidential pardon sprung them from prison, reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are breaking their silence, with a defiant Todd declaring he has no apologies to offer and Julie recounting the emotional moment she learned of her freedom.
In their first major interviews since their release, the couple at the center of the “Chrisley Knows Best” dynasty are painting a picture of their new reality, one that includes a new television series and a continued assertion of their innocence, despite their high-profile convictions on serious financial charges.
“I don’t have an apology to give you or anyone else over the money that I’ve made,” a resolute Todd Chrisley stated at a recent press conference. His staunch refusal to express remorse comes after he and his wife, Julie, were convicted in 2022 on multiple counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion, which prosecutors said involved the falsification of documents to obtain more than $30 million in loans.
The couple had been serving a combined 19 years in federal prison before President Donald Trump granted them a full pardon in late May. Their sentences had previously been reduced.
While Todd remains unrepentant, Julie described a more emotional reaction to the news of her impending release. In an interview on “My View with Lara Trump,” which appears to be the “Night Line episode” referenced, Julie recounted the tearful phone call with her daughter, Savannah, who delivered the life-altering news.
“I just started crying,” Julie shared, recalling her words to Savannah. “I said, ‘Yes, I’m getting out of here.'” The matriarch of the famously outspoken family also reflected on her time behind bars, acknowledging its transformative impact. “It has to change you,” she said. “If it didn’t change you, then you’re not human.”
The Chrisleys are now channeling their experiences into a new docuseries for Lifetime, which reportedly began filming the night they returned home. The series is expected to chronicle their legal battles, their time in prison, and their adjustment to life after incarceration. Daughter Savannah, who became a vocal advocate for her parents’ release, has indicated the new show will allow the family to “set the record straight.”
The surprise pardon and the family’s swift return to the spotlight have been met with a mix of support from their dedicated fanbase and criticism from those who view their lack of contrition as a slap in the face to the justice system. As the Chrisleys embark on this new, unfiltered chapter of their public lives, all eyes will be on whether their trademark brand of Southern charm and drama can win over a public still grappling with the serious nature of their crimes.
