Gia Giudice is facing backlash after she asked President Donald Trump to pardon her dad, Joe Giudice, who was deported back to Italy in 2019.

Inspired by Todd and Julie Chrisley’s prison pardons, the “Next Gen: NYC” star shared a video of herself signing a stack of letters that she addressed to the president in an emotional Instagram post on Friday.

“Hey, guys, my name is Gia Giudice,” she narrated in the video. “I’m the daughter of Joe Giudice and today I’m using my voice for something deeply personal.

“My dad was deported over four years ago. Since then, our family has lived in an emotional limbo. No matter how strong we try to be in the absence of a father, of a parent, it’s something that never stops hurting.”

“Growing up, my dad was present at every cheer competition, every dance recital, holiday,” she continued of her father, who now lives in the Bahamas. “He was our provider. Our protector. And he still is, just now from thousands of miles away.”

She continued, “Watching the Chrisley family receive a second chance inspired me.

“It showed me that people can be forgiven, that families could be restored and that sometimes the justice system has room for grace. That gave me hope. Hope that maybe my dad could come home too.”

While Gia’s message had a positive tone, it failed to land with many of her followers who called out the reality star for being “tone deaf.”

“Privilege at its finest………what advice would you give all the other young people who are having their families torn apart for far less reasons? Im curious,” one commenter wrote, referring to the controversial ICE deportation raids across the country.

Another follower added: “Mind u, this is an ACTUAL convicted felon. but go off.”

“I’m big confused because aren’t y’all flying to Italy to see him all the time anyway? 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 even ask the the president for a pardon for your father,” said another netizen.

“Man, I’m sick of rich people thinking they can do whatever they want and then begging for mercy just because they have status or money. Meanwhile, people who are just trying to support their families are being deported to God knows where. TONE DEAF.”

The young reality star, 24, was at least supported by her mother, Teresa Giudice, who shared several heart emojis under the post.

The post comes not long after Gia’s father Joe, 51, also asked the president for a pardon last month.

Alonh with Gia, the former Bravolebrity is also dad to daughters Gabriella, Audriana and Milania, all of whom he shares with ex-wife Teresa.

Joe and Teresa, 53, were indicted on federal fraud charges in 2013 and were both sentenced to prison.

Joe ultimately spent 41 months behind bars after pleading guilty to failing to pay taxes and mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud until March 2019.

Citizens across the United States are marking the country’s 249th birthday with protests against the Trump administration.

On Friday, July 4, scores of protesters took to the streets to rally against President Donald Trump‘s policies established since his return to office in January, including ICE immigration raids and deportation, the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites and overall perceived abuse of federal power.

The timing also aligns with Trump signing his landmark “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which includes cuts to popular programs like Medicaid and SNAP and reallocates money for Trump’s most controversial programs, including making Immigration and Customs Enforcement better-funded than every other federal law enforcement agency and most countries’ entire militaries.

The protests on Independence Day come less than a month after the massive “No Kings” protests held on June 14 — Trump’s 79th birthday, during which he hosted a military parade in Washington — that similarly voiced disdain for Trump’s policies, especially regarding mass deportation.

See some of the most dramatic photos from the July 4th protests, taken across the nation.

Lisa Vanderpump‘s soon-to-be hotel is already a Las Vegas hot spot — literally.

The still under-construction locale caught fire on Friday, July 4, PEOPLE can confirm.

Video shared to X showed crowds gathering at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, the future site of The Vanderpump Hotel (known as The Cromwell). Fire alarms were blaring and sirens could be heard in the distance as smoke billowed out of the property. 

Pinky’s, Vanderpump’s restaurant which is next to The Vanderpump Hotel, was also seen in the footage as the camera panned to show the chaotic scene. 

“#Cromwell is on fire!” the social media user’s post read, in part. 

A rep for Caesars Entertainment told PEOPLE the blaze was put out before it did any damage to the main property. “Early this morning, a fire broke out inside the parking garage at The Cromwell,” they said. “It was quickly extinguished, and there were no reported injuries.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, some guest rooms were briefly evacuated,” they added, before nothing that “all operations have returned to normal” since. “We would like to thank the Clark County Fire Department for its swift response,” they said in a statement.

The Cromwell is still open to the public before it’s transformed into the Vanderpump Hotel.

Vanderpump, 64, spoke exclusively to PEOPLE in March about the grand opening of her latest Vegas venture, which is set to open in early 2026.

“It is just going to be another passion project and that’s what I’m looking for in my life,” the entrepreneur, who already owns Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace and Vanderpump à Paris at Paris Las Vegas in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, told PEOPLE. 

She also spoke of the hotel’s rich history, noting that “[The Flamingo] is the oldest or the first hotel on the strip.”

“It was basically creating something that felt like you pulled back the curtain and this had been here forever,” Vanderpump said. “That’s why when you look at the floor, you almost believe that’s an original.”

The Bravo star and her design partner, Nick Alain, worked together to visualize and bring to life the 188-room property that will be The Vanderpump Hotel. It includes 19 suites, all of which Vanderpump described as “attainable luxury.”

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Pinky’s had its grand opening in December 2024. 

“The wonderful thing, I think, is that Caesars don’t impede us in any way. I love that. We say this is what we would like to do. We present it and they just go, ‘Okay, when will it be ready?’ ” she said of once again working with the company. 

According to the Vanderpump Hotel’s website, “The Cromwell Las Vegas will be transformed with opulent furnishings, bespoke lighting, and a captivating new lounge. Every detail, from the enchanting guest rooms to the revitalized casino floor, will embody elegance and comfort.”