Joe Exotic, the Netflix Tiger King star serving a 22-year prison sentence, has once again contacted former President Donald Trump, asking for a pardon. But Joe wasn’t content to stop there. This time, he’s offering to bring his “wildlife expertise” to Washington, proposing that if Trump ever gets back in the White House, he could make a perfect choice for Federal Fish and Wildlife Director.
It’s the latest chapter in the bizarre, larger-than-life story of Joe Exotic, born Joseph Maldonado-Passage, who became a household name when Tiger King swept across screens in early 2020. Joe’s life was already the stuff of an outrageous novel, even before he found himself behind bars. His feud with animal rights advocate Carole Baskin, his Oklahoma zoo filled with exotic animals, and his chain of personal and legal battles all built a chaotic tale that seemed almost too strange to be true. The drama eventually led to Joe’s conviction in 2019 for trying to hire hitmen to kill Baskin, as well as multiple violations of wildlife laws, including killing five tigers. The court sentenced him to 22 years, but Joe insists he’s innocent.
Joe’s recent letter to Trump doubles down on his claims of wrongful conviction, saying he was the target of a biased trial and received an excessively harsh sentence. And he isn’t just asking for a pardon this time—he’s sweetening the deal with a job proposal. With a resume built on years of experience with big cats, Joe believes he’s uniquely qualified to head Fish and Wildlife, a position where he claims his “real-life experience” would be invaluable. He’s serious about it, too, despite the skepticism he faces from nearly everyone outside his fan base.
Responses to the letter have been as divided as the reactions to Joe himself. Many find the offer beyond ironic, questioning how someone with Joe’s convictions and tangled past could oversee a federal agency, especially one that exists to protect the kind of animals Joe was convicted of abusing. “It’s like hiring the fox to guard the henhouse,” a critic quipped. And yet, some people still believe in Joe, pointing to what they consider a rigged trial and calling him a victim of judicial misconduct. Loyal fans captivated by his chaotic charm and seeing him as misunderstood are hoping he’ll eventually be freed.
So far, Donald Trump has not spoken. Joe made a similar plea to the former president in 2020, but it didn’t pan out despite some highly publicized efforts. Still, Joe remains hopeful that if Trump does make a political comeback, he might have another chance.
Tiger King had an impact beyond Joe’s individual story. The series spotlighted private zoos and exotic animal ownership, sparking widespread debates about what goes on behind the cages. Viewers who might have been merely entertained soon questioned how such facilities operated and how to better protect wild animals kept in captivity.
The attention ultimately spurred real change. In 2023, the Big Cat Public Safety Act was signed into law, banning “cub-petting” practices like the ones Joe’s Zoo used to offer. The law is part of a growing effort to protect exotic animals and is seen as a step forward by many animal rights advocates.
Since Tiger King, states have also been refining their laws on exotic animal ownership. Strict bans have been implemented in places like California, New York, and Ohio, while other states require extensive permits and inspections to help ensure public safety and animal welfare. Animal advocacy groups continue pushing for even stronger protections, arguing that the show revealed a dark side of private zoos that must be regulated more closely.
Joe Exotic may be locked up, but he’s far from forgotten. His story, as strange and dramatic as it is, has kept people talking about everything from animal rights to criminal justice. And while it’s unlikely Trump will take him up on the offer, Joe’s latest move proves he’s not letting go of his dreams—or his flair for the unpredictable—anytime soon. Whether or not he ever wins his freedom, Joe’s saga won’t be fading from the spotlight.
