
Joe Exotic, the infamous star of Netflix’s Tiger King, has voiced his frustration on social media after President Donald Trump failed to grant him a pardon once more. Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, has long been advocating for his release, citing his innocence and the harsh conditions he has faced in prison.
The Tiger King documentary series, which became a viral sensation during the early days of the pandemic, brought Exotic international fame, mostly due to his ongoing feud with big cat conservationist Carole Baskin and his conviction for federal murder-for-hire charges. Exotic was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2019, a sentence that was later reduced to 21 years.
Exotic had hoped that Trump would grant him a pardon before the end of his first term in office, but was disappointed when he was left off the list. Fast forward to 2025, and Exotic is still pushing for his release, especially after Trump granted pardons to others involved in the January 6th riots and to figures like Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht.

On Instagram, Exotic called out Trump for “forgetting” him yet again. Sharing his thoughts alongside an image of a sad figure crying in the rain, Exotic expressed his dismay: “President Trump you forgot me… again.” He sarcastically noted that if he were involved in criminal activities like drug dealing or even the January 6th riots, he might have received a pardon, but as it stands, his cries for justice continue to fall on deaf ears.
Exotic also compared his situation to that of Leonard Peltier, who was granted a pardon by President Joe Biden in 2021, despite his conviction for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents. Exotic feels that his case, which involves alleged perjury and a disputed conviction, has been unjustly overlooked. He has been vocal about his suffering, claiming that he has been isolated, abused, and treated unfairly while serving time behind bars.

Despite his continued pleas and claims of innocence, Exotic’s chances of receiving a pardon appear to be slim. While Trump had previously stated he would “take a look” at Exotic’s case, the reality star remains on the outside looking in as other high-profile figures receive attention.
With the latest wave of pardons not including him, Exotic’s frustration is palpable, and he shows no signs of giving up on his fight for freedom. Whether Trump will change his stance later in his term remains to be seen, but for now, Joe Exotic’s calls for a pardon remain unanswered.