Exotic has since claimed he was “too gay” to be pardoned
Tiger King star Carole Baskin has said she is “thankful” that Joe Exotic did not receive a pardon from Donald Trump.
Exotic is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence in Fort Worth, Texas, after he was convicted last year of breaking numerous wildlife laws and plotting to kill Baskin.
A high profile campaign had been launched by Exotic – real name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage – and his supporters, for him to be granted clemency in Trump’s final days.
“I think only Joe’s team and the media were ever even thinking about a pardon for Joe,” Baskin told Buzzfeed News.
“There is no benefit, other than a feeble attempt to deflect attention, for anyone to pardon someone who walked up to five tigers and shot them in the head in order to clear cage space for the circus, who was going to pay him to board their tigers during the offseason.”
She added: “Tigers are the world’s favourite animal and Joe Schreibvogel Maldonado-Passage is right where he belongs: in a cage.”
On Wednesday, Exotic shared his dismay at the news he would not be following in the steps of Lil Wayne and Kodack Black in receiving pardons.
“I was too innocent and too GAY to deserve a Pardon from Trump,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I only mattered to Don Jr when he needed to make a comment about me to boost his social media post.”
I was too innocent and too GAY to deserve a Pardon from Trump. I only mattered to Don Jr. when he needed to make a comment about me to boost his social media post. Boy were we all stupid to believe he actually stood for Equal Justice? His corrupt friends all come first. pic.twitter.com/ysGfwnqlHi
— Joe Exotic (@joe_exotic) January 20, 2021
Both Baskin and Exotic were central figures in Tiger King, a large portion of which focused on their rivalry in the big cat conservation industry.
Following his conviction, Baskin assumed ownership of his business, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park.
