"Tiger King" Pleads for Pardon from Trump

Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic or the “Tiger King” is asking President Trump for a pardon from a 22-year sentence regarding his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot issued against rival, Carole Baskin.

In a hand-written letter to the President, the Netflix star begs Trump to consider clemency pleading, “Allow me to make your proud, to make America proud. To make the world proud. Be my hero please.”

According to CBS News:

The Netflix star’s legal argument for a pardon is that he was “just some gay, gun-toting redneck in Oklahoma” before his recent “Tiger King” fame, and that he did not get a fair trial.

Maldonado-Passage is also asking that the typical five-year wait time for a presidential pardon be waived for his case, beseeching the president to “listen to the millions who see the truth” and “your own son Donald Jr.”

The president has previously said he would “look into” a pardon for the reality TV star, and Donald Trump Jr. says his father has asked him what’s happening with the case.

“Be my hero please.” The Tiger King aka Joe Exotic wrote this letter to President #DonaldTrump from prison, seeking a pardon. Makes direct appeal to President’s distrust of fed investigators by framing himself as the victim of dishonest DOJ that lied to further “it’s own agenda.” pic.twitter.com/WKBFOnNeLc

— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCBS) September 9, 2020

Joe Exotic rose to fame during the Coronavirus pandemic as the Netflix documentary “Tiger King” captivated millions. The documentary focused on Joe Exotic and rival big cat zoo owner, Carole Baskin’s feud. The two often spar back and forth over Baskin attempt’s to shut down the Tiger King’s Oklahoma Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park and Joe Exotic pushing the narrative that Baskin killed her husband and fed him to a tiger.

Do you think Trump will issue a pardon to the Tiger King? Does he even deserve a pardon? Tell us what you think in the comments below.