Gia Giudice is clearing the air after people criticized her for posting a video asking President Donald Trump to pardon her dad, Joe Giudice.
Real Housewives of New Jersey fans know Gia as Teresa Giudice and Joe’s oldest daughter. Back in 2014, Joe pleaded guilty to bankruptcy, mail, and wire fraud and served over three years in prison. Afterward, authorities deported him to Italy, but he has been living in the Bahamas.
Gia, who is currently starring in Next Gen NYC, recently publicly pleaded for her dad’s return to the U.S. However, many didn’t like how OR when she did it. Now, she’s explaining her thought process behind the effort that received so much criticism.
Could President Trump pardon Joe Giudice?
On the July 9 episode of her Casual Chaos podcast, Gia responded to backlash over the video she posted on Independence Day.
“I did not intend to post it on the 4th of July. That was just not my intention at all,” she said. “I have so much respect for my country, and I was not trying to show any privilege or entitlement.”
Gia, who once aspired to work in immigration law, said she mailed letters to the White House on July 3 and filmed the video that night. She finished and posted it the next morning before her holiday weekend began.
“So, Friday morning before the craziness of the weekend, I just finished the video, and I posted it,” she explained. “Then I realized, ‘Oh, my God.’ But at that point, the video had gotten a lot of traction.”
Despite that, she insisted it wasn’t a strategic or political move. “I woke up [and] knew I had to do something for my dad. That was the only thing on my mind,” Gia said. “So, I posted it, there was no motive behind anything.”
Ultimately, her focus was to show support. “I really just wanted my dad to feel loved and feel loved by me,” she said.
Looking back, Gia admitted she “should have waited a day” and felt terrible after reading comments online. However, she says the recent pardons of Todd and Julie Chrisley gave her family hope.
She added, “I really just wanted to use my platform to bring awareness to my father’s case. I do not think that I am privileged. I have immense respect for my country.”
Gia’s campaign has sparked conversation, but whether it reaches the White House remains to be seen. Since immigration and criminal justice remain hot-button issues, no one can predict how this will play out.
Real Housewives of New Jersey streams on Peacock. Next Gen NYC airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 9/8c. Viewers in the U.K. and Ireland can watch both on Hayu.
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