CLEVELAND, Ohio – Joe Exotic, the former zookeeper and star of Netflix’s “Tiger King,” has lashed out at President Donald Trump after he granted pardons to reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley.
In a recent social media post on X, Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, expressed his frustration: “I guess being innocent is not enough in America. They all admitted to perjury on world television but yet I’m left to die of cancer before I can get any help.”
The 62-year-old is serving a 21-year sentence for a 2019 conviction involving a murder-for-hire plot against animal rights activist Carole Baskin and multiple wildlife law violations. He has consistently maintained his innocence and has been seeking a presidential pardon.
He was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2021 and claims to have been denied adequate medical treatment while incarcerated.
The Chrisleys, stars of the reality show “Chrisley Knows Best,” were convicted in 2022 of bank and tax fraud, resulting in a combined 19-year sentence. Their recent pardons have sparked controversy, with critics pointing to their public support for Trump as a potential influence.
Adding to his personal turmoil, Exotic’s husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado, was deported to Mexico earlier this month after serving time for transporting undocumented migrants. Maldonado has expressed fear for his safety in cartel-dominated regions and has pleaded for both his and Exotic’s release.
“Why is it the entire world can see the evidence but the White House refuses to acknowledge that they did this to me knowing that they were lying,” the “Tiger King” star said online.
