‘This world can be so incredibly cruel’: Savannah Chrisley issues first statement after backlash on pregnancy and secret marriage with fraudster husband Jason Galanis

Savannah Chrisley, known for her role in ‘Chrisley Knows Best’, has addressed the backlash and criticism after revealing her pregnancy and marriage to Jason Galanis. The 29 year old revealed her engagement to Galanis, who is 56, on Thursday, October 29.

In an Instagram video, Savannah had first announced that she was pregnant and engaged. However, it was later revealed that she had secretly married her fiance. According to People, which cited marriage records, the couple had gotten married on July 14, 2026 in the Cayman Islands. The couple got married after about a year of dating.

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Savannah’s husband is a convicted fraudster

In her announcement post, Savannah had only addressed her mystery fiance as ‘Jason’ or simply ‘J’. However, it was later revealed that she was married to businessman Jason Galanis. Galanis was earlier convicted over his involvement in several securities fraud schemes.

He was sentenced to 189 months in prison in September 2020. In March 2025, President Donald Trump granted him a pardon and he was released. Galanis and Savannah’s father Todd Chrisley both served together for a couple of months in 2023 at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola in Florida.

According to Page Six, Galanis was found guilty of defrauding a Native American tribe and several investors of millions. In an episode of her podcast, Savannah had earlier revealed that she had met Galanis while fighting to secure her parents’ release from prison. Both had been convicted of tax and back fraud.

After the revelation Savannah received a large amount of backlash for marrying a man 27 years older than her and a convicted felon.

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‘People can be quick to judge’: Savannah responds to the criticism

On her Instagram Story, Savannah responded to the public backlash she received for her relationship. She wrote, “People can be quick to judge, quick to condemn, and slow to show grace,” adding, “But as I sit here looking out at God’s beautiful creation, I’m reminded of something so much greater than the noise around me.”

She shared her lengthy post over a picture of the sky at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. She further said that the week had been a “whirlwind” and that the “world can be so incredibly cruel”.

Seemingly talking about her marriage to Galanis, Savannah wrote, “I’ve learned that you don’t have to defend what God has already ordained. You don’t have to fight every battle, answer every accusation or convince the world of what God already knows to be true.”

She further added that “the greatest act of faith is simply being still, choosing love when you’re met with hate…Because at the end of the day, hate will never have the final word.”