Joe Exotic misses out on pardon from Trump as President releases 70 from jail

Donald Trump has failed to pardon Tiger King star Joe Exotic, meaning that he will stay in jail.

The 57-year-old Netflix star has been serving a 22-year sentence in Fort Worth, Texas after he was convicted of trying to hire a hitman to kill his nemesis Carole Baskin.

The controversial figure – real name Joe Maldonado-Passage – is also serving time for a host of animal abuse charges, including nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act.

As Donald Trump made his departure from the White House, the figure issued a presidential pardon for 73 people and commuted the sentence of 70 others.

Among those who were pardoned or freed from jail were rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black.

Exotic and his team, were said to have even had a limousine ready for when they received the pardon that never came.

Joe has been lobbying Donald Trump for a pardon ever since he was sent to jail in 2019.

In the past, Trump has reportedly agreed to “look” into Exotic’s case and members of Trump’s own family are said to have been advocates for the tiger handler’s release.

Ahead of the decision, Exotic’s private investigator Eric Love spoke of preparations ahead of the television star’s release.

Speaking to Metro on Monday he said: “We have good reason to believe it will come through.

“We’re confident enough we already have a limousine parked about half a mile from the prison. We are really in action mode right now.”

The investigator also revealed that a hair and make-up team as well as wardrobe had been scheduled to prepare Exotic for his departure from prison.

Love also explained to the publication that the pardon will serve as a distraction and “take most of the limelight away from president-elect Joe Biden.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us direct 0207 29 3303