Joe Exotic is serving time for 22 years. Photo / AP
Joe Exotic is serving time for 22 years. Photo / AP
US President Donald Trump has commented on whether he would consider granting a pardon to Tiger King star Joe Exotic.
The former zoo owner, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently serving 22 years in prison for animal abuse charges and for allegedly hiring someone to kill rival zooowner Carole Baskin.
During a presidential briefing, Trump was asked about the likelihood of granting Joe Exotic a pardon, which would set aside the punishment for his crime.
It appears Donald Trump hasn't watched Tiger King - but his son has. Photo / AP
"He's asking you for a pardon saying he was unfairly convicted," the reporter said. "I was wondering if you've seen the show and if have any thoughts on pardoning Joe Exotic?"
Trump replied: "I know nothing about it. He has 22 years for what? What did he do?"
Joe Exotic is serving 22 years in prison for animal abuse charges and for allegedly hiring someone to kill rival zoo owner Carole Baskin. Photo / Netflix
The reporter told the president: "He allegedly hired someone to murder an animal-rights activist but he said he didn't do that."
"I'll take a look," Trump said.
Yesterday Donald Trump Jr. joked that he would be in favour of Joe Exotic getting a pardon.
"It would be pretty amazing to ultimately see that," the president's son said on SiriusXM's The Jim and Sam Show.
"It doesn't seem like he was totally innocent of anything. But when they're saying, 'We're putting this guy away for 30 years,' I'm saying that seems sort of aggressive."
Joe Exotic is serving time for 22 years. Photo / AP
It's believed that Exotic is currently locked up in the Federal Bureau of Prisons operated Federal Medical Center Fort Worth in Texas.
The eccentric former zoo owner spoke to Netflix yesterday and said he wants to put his past behind him.
"I'm done with the Carole Baskin saga," he said. "It's now time to turn the tables and Joe to get out of jail a free man and exonerated from all of these charges."
