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President Trump’s habit of handing out pardons, even to controversial figures, has sparked a new plea, this time from reality TV’s own Gia Giudice. She’s asking Trump to officially pardon her father, Joe Giudice, who was deported after serving time for federal fraud charges.
The Giudice family became famous for their drama on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but things got real serious in 2013 when both Joe and his then-wife Teresa, were convicted of fraud. Teresa served for nearly a year. Joe served over three years, and because he was never a U.S. citizen, he was deported to Italy when his sentence ended. He now lives in the Bahamas, trying to restart his life.
Joe has tried to return to the U.S. multiple times since 2019, but every attempt has failed. He’s even complained publicly that others with worse records are allowed in, saying things like, “They looked like criminals!” forgetting, perhaps, that he was convicted of actual crimes himself. Still, he’s hoping that Trump’s forgiving streak might swing his way.
Gia, now a rising star on Bravo’s Next Gen: NYC, took the campaign into her own hands. She posted a heartfelt message on Instagram saying Trump’s recent pardons — especially for the Chrisley family, who also committed fraud- gave her hope that her father might get a second chance, too.
“Watching the Chrisley family receive a second chance inspired me,” she wrote. “It showed me that people can be forgiven. That gave me hope. Hope that maybe my dad could come home too.” She ended the post with the hashtag #BringJoeHome and tagged Trump directly.
But the internet didn’t exactly rally behind her. Comments flooded in calling the post tone-deaf, especially at a time when so many immigrant families are being separated or denied entry under harsh policies. One user wrote, “Are you even aware of what’s happening with immigration right now?”
Many pointed out that just because Joe is a celebrity doesn’t mean he should get special treatment. And unlike some people who genuinely turn their lives around after prison, Joe hasn’t exactly shown public remorse or any meaningful growth, just frustration that he got caught.
That said, it wouldn’t be a shock if Trump considered it. He has a soft spot for celebrities, public flattery, and media attention. And since he’s already begun to relax some immigration restrictions, especially those that affect his business interests, a Joe Giudice pardon isn’t totally off the table.
But for now, Gia’s campaign seems to have stirred more controversy than support. And her father’s return to the U.S. remains, at best, a long shot, unless Trump decides a reality show reunion is worth the headlines.