Donald Trump vows to pardon reality TV stars jailed for £22million bank fraud

has vowed to pardon two stars jailed for conspiring to banks out of more than $30million (£22million) in loans by submitting false documents.

Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted of this and tax evasion, the latter which the court heard obscured their earnings while they showcased a luxurious way of living which included high-priced cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel. Julie was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and . The couple was also ordered to pay $17.8million (£13million) in restitution.

But now Mr Trump, 78, has insisted he will make the Chirsleys "free and clean" within 24 hours. In a video call with their daughter Savannah, the US President said: "Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope that we can do it by tomorrow."

Speaking to reporters moments later, Mr Trump added: "They’ve been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I’m hearing." The move continues a pattern of Mr Trump pardoning high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers.

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Prosecutors said the Chrisleys, who married in 1996, walked away from their responsibility for repayment when Todd was declared bankruptcy and left $20-plus million (£15million) in unpaid loans. Their long-running USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best was pulled in 2023 after the pair were locked up.

However, a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss decisions that hadn't yet been made public, has today told journalists the pardons would be forthcoming.

The Chrisleys’ attorney, Alex Little, said the pardon "corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community." He added: "President Trump recognised what we’ve argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile. Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias.

"Todd and Julie’s case is exactly why the pardon power exists. Thanks to President Trump, the Chrisley family can now begin healing and rebuilding their lives."

Chrisley Knows Best, which began in 2014, followed which prosecutors had said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities.

But before the Chrisleys became reality television stars, they, and a former business partner, submitted false documents to banks in the Atlanta area to obtain fraudulent loans, prosecutors said during their trial. They accused the couple of spending lavishly, then using new fraudulent loans to pay off old ones.

Since the sentencing, Savannah has argued what she believes was an injustice. She said in 2023 that her parents were "persecuted by rogue prosecutors" — echoing Mr Trump’s rhetoric about the criminal justice system when he faced investigations and criminal cases of his own.