Jimmy Kimmel isn’t shy about his thoughts on Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, reality TV stars on the USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best who were also convicted felons.
On May 28, the late-night host took aim at why Trump gave the Chrisleys full, unconditional pardons.
“You know, the reason Trump wanted to release the Chrisleys was because their daughter is very attractive and because she spoke up for him at the RNC last year.”
Is Pardoning a Part of Politics?
They were found guilty in June 2022 for filing fake papers to support loan applications for many millions of dollars and for hiding their earnings from the TV show. Todd got a 12-year prison sentence and Julie faced 7 years. When they were pardoned, they had years left on the terms of their sentences.
Release of their films wasn’t without protest. It was delivered with strong political connections — especially from Savannah Chrisley, who has shown open support for Donald Trump on social media.
In a video posted after the pardon, Savannah said thank you to the former president and swore her loyalty.
I promise to support you, President Trump and your team as we both reveal the corruption and defend those in our prisons.
Kimmel’s response?
“That works out fine for us, we’ll get a ticket for you to El Salvador as soon as possible,” he said and then, “Joe Exotic is not happy today.”
When Famous People Ask for Kindness
After being found guilty, Joe Exotic, from Tiger King, has regularly called for a Trump pardon, even having a limousine parked outside his jail in 2021.
Now that the Chrisleys are out, Kimmel said Exotic has resorted to begging Khloe Kardashian to ask Kim Kardashian to ask the president to get Exotic out of jail.
“In other words, living now,” Kimmel said, “feels a bit like being on mushrooms all the time.”
When Trump gave the Chrisleys a pardon, he didn’t try to keep it hidden. Speaking in a video, he told Savannah that the treatment was extremely tough, but added that it will lead to freedom and cleanliness for her parents. I haven’t met them, so send them my best and hope they live a happy life.
A Million Dollars Provides a Great Deal of Mercy
Clemency wasn’t just granted to the Chrisleys in Trump’s post-presidency pardons. Kimmel criticized Trump for pardoning Paul Walczak, a nursing home executive found guilty of tax evasion, only a month after Walczak’s mother donated a million dollars at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
He took more than $10 million out of the paychecks of nurses, doctors, and workers in his facilities, according to Kimmel. Then I took that money and spent it on a $2 million yacht and many things from Bergdorf’s and Cartier.
So, he’s competent. Really, he’s a good guy,” Kimmel said, adding some sarcasm.
Walczak’s case looks very serious in the public eye. The judge said to him at sentencing, “Being wealthy doesn’t excuse you from going to jail.” To this, Kimmel replied, “And he was correct: the card is priced at a million dollars, and it has to be handed over by his mommy.”
A Pattern of President Grant Issuing Pardons to Celebrities
A lot of people have criticized Trump’s clemency decisions for putting loyalty, money and fame above the fairness of the law. Whether you’re the Chrisleys, the Walczaks or rapper Lil Wayne, having a connection to power rewards you.
Jimmy Kimmel is not turning a blind eye to any of it.
He blended satirical comments with strong discontent, sounding like many who feel these pardons are actually meant to reward loyalty and money.
Should Nixon get a pardon or should he be punished instead?
These pardons, some argue, are unfair and make fame and special treatment more important than making justice work.
While Trump tells people his decisions show care or fairness, those who oppose him, including Kimmel, believe they all follow the same pattern: displaying loyalty to him is rewarded, but dissent is punished.
Since a 2024 presidential campaign is still being considered, these moves act as gifts to supporters and remind people what Trump’s governance looks like: partly like a TV show, partly a personal war, and partly a campaign rally.
In Kimmel’s view, “Being here in 2025 is like being caught up in a TV show and the bad guys keep being the winners.”