Disgraced criminal millionaires say their lives are now harder than when they were in prison

Todd and Julie Chrisley rose to fame with their reality TV show, Chrisley Knows Best, but were sentenced to prison in 2022 for bank fraud and tax evasion.

Prosecutors explained that the pair were defrauding banks and hiding millions of dollars to evade taxes, with Todd Chrisley being sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Julie to seven years.

However, the pair were pardoned by Donald Trump in May 2025, but since leaving prison the disgraced millionaires have admitted that they found prison life easier than the real world.

During their podcast, Chrisley Confessions 2.0, Todd and Julie admitted: “Life is rougher than prison life. That’s a sad thing to say because it is so horrific, the conditions that you’re there for, but that’s from a physical standpoint.

“But from an emotional and psychological standpoint, it is harder dealing with day to day.”

Julie added: “When you’re in prison, you know that you don’t have any control. There’s very little that you can do because you’re in prison. The longer you’re there, the more removed you become to the world.”

Donald Trump called their daughter, Savannah, to let her know about his choice to pardon them, saying: “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.

“Is that OK? We’ll try getting it done tomorrow. I don’t know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good life.”

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