In an unusual plea for clemency, Joe Exotic, the controversial figure from the Netflix docuseries "Tiger King," has directly appealed to former President Donald Trump for a pardon, even offering to relocate to Mexico with his husband as a condition.
Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, has been vocal about his desire for a pardon since he was sentenced to 22 years in prison in January 2020. His conviction stemmed from a plot to murder animal rights advocate Carole Baskin, which garnered significant media attention and led to his rise in notoriety.
In a series of posts on social media platform X, Exotic laid out his proposition, stating that if Trump granted him a pardon, he and his husband would relocate to Mexico. He suggested that such a move would save taxpayers the costs associated with his potential deportation, framing it as a win-win situation for the former president.
“You could deport him at some point, but if you let me go, we’ll both go to Mexico, which will save you the cost of deporting him and allow you to take care of me. No matter what happens, he’s my husband, and we’ll never abandon each other. This bond is that strong,” Exotic wrote on X.
Notably, Exotic has been trying to win Trump's favor for some time. He encouraged controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, who is currently facing legal troubles of his own related to human trafficking in Romania, to call Trump on his behalf. “Please call Trump to get me out of here,” he pleaded last week.
Exotic’s frustrations have also manifested in his criticism of both Trump and President Joe Biden for not issuing him a pardon. Earlier in 2025, he conveyed his discontent via social media, hinting that his criminal background makes him an unlikely candidate for clemency in the eyes of politicians.
“If I was a crack dealer, maybe if I broke in the capital [sic] or even have been related to the Bidens. I might have gotten some relief on being in prison innocent,” he lamented in an Instagram post. He further remarked on Biden’s decision to pardon Native American activist Leonard Peltier, adding, “Hell the guy who killed 2 FBI Agents even got a pardon today. I can’t even get a new trial based on admitted perjury testimony.”
This unexpected twist in the narrative surrounding Joe Exotic continues to capture media attention. His infamous past combined with a desperate plea to a former president creates a strange juxtaposition that intrigues both supporters and detractors alike.
The landscape of American politics has always been intertwined with celebrity and media personas, and Exotic's situation exemplifies how these worlds collide. With Trump’s previous administration having pardoned several high-profile individuals, it remains to be seen whether he will consider Exotic’s unusual proposition.
As of now, Exotic is serving his sentence in a federal prison, and his future hangs in the balance as he seeks a presidential pardon against the backdrop of a politically charged environment. It raises questions about the nature of justice, privilege, and the extent to which celebrity can influence political decisions.
In the coming days, it will be intriguing to observe how the public reacts to this latest chapter in Exotic's tumultuous life. Will Trump consider his plea, or will the former reality star remain behind bars? The ramifications of his case may resonate far beyond the confines of a prison cell, impacting discussions around clemency and the justice system in America.
