Gia Giudice, daughter of former reality television stars Joe and Teresa Giudice, is facing backlash after publicly requesting a presidential pardon for her father, who was deported to Italy in 2019 following a federal fraud conviction.

Prompted by the recent pardons of Todd and Julie Chrisley, Gia posted an emotional Instagram video asking Donald Trump to pardon her father, igniting debate over privilege and justice, as Page Six reports.

Gia, 24, who appears on Next Gen: NYC, shared a video Friday in which she signed letters addressed to  Trump while explaining the emotional toll her father's deportation has taken on the family. Joe Giudice, now living in the Bahamas, had served 41 months in prison before being deported in 2019 due to his legal status as a non-citizen.

Instagram video sparks backlash

In the video, Gia said she was “using [her] voice for something deeply personal” and described growing up with a father who was present at every cheer competition, recital and holiday. She called him a provider who remains involved in their lives, albeit from thousands of miles away.

She said that stories like the Chrisleys’ gave her hope that forgiveness was possible and that her family could be reunited.

“It showed me that families could be restored and that sometimes the justice system has room for grace,” Gia said in the clip.

Online, however, some social media users were quick to voice frustration, accusing Gia of being out of touch with the realities that most families affected by deportation face. One commenter called it “privilege at its finest.”

Criticisms mount

Another Instagram follower noted that Joe is “an actual convicted felon,” and questioned why Gia’s family deserved public sympathy over others who are deported for lesser reasons. Others said the family’s ability to visit Joe abroad diminishes the hardship she described.

“Aren’t y’all flying to Italy to see him all the time anyway?” one commenter asked.

“So not only do you have the financial privilege to go and see him basically whenever you want, but you also have the privilege of having a big enough platform” to ask for clemency, the critique continued.

Critics also highlighted the contrast between Gia’s request and the experience of many immigrant families, often separated by deportations that happen without high-profile legal battles or public advocacy campaigns.

Legal history adds key context

Joe Giudice, 51, served time for crimes including tax evasion, bankruptcy fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. He and Teresa were both indicted in 2013 and later pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges.

After completing his sentence, Joe was deported due to not holding American citizenship. Despite having lived in the U.S. since he was a child, he was ineligible to remain under current immigration law once convicted of felony offenses.

He and Teresa, who also served nearly a year in prison, have four daughters together: Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana. Since his deportation, Joe has relocated from Italy to the Bahamas to be closer to his family.

Uncertainty persists

Gia’s recent appeal followed another pardon request submitted by Joe last month. Although former presidents have issued pardons while in office, it is unclear whether Trump will respond to the Giudices' efforts now that he is no longer in office.

Teresa Guidice publicly showed support for Gia’s campaign by commenting with red heart emojis on the same video, adding a layer of familial solidarity.

While the post gained widespread attention, it reignited debates about fairness in the justice and immigration systems.

Whether or not the pardon request is successful, Gia's video has sparked a larger conversation about who benefits from celebrity, wealth, and visibility -- and how those factors can sometimes influence the application of justice in America.