Joe Exotic Calls Out Trump Pardon of Chrisleys While He Remains Behind Bars

Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado-Passage is calling out the White House after President Donald Trump issued a pardon for Todd and Julie Chrisley without giving him one as well.

The former Tiger King star, 62, who was convicted in 2019 of plotting a murder-for-hire against animal rights activist Carole Baskin, took to X to share his frustrations with the American legal system.

“I guess being innocent is not enough in America,” he wrote, adding, “I’m left to die of [prostate] cancer before I can get any help.”

“Why is it the entire world can see the evidence but the White House refuses to acknowledge,” he added.

Exotic was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his crimes, which included hiring two people — one of whom was an undercover FBI agent — to kill Baskin and killing five tigers to make room for other large zoo cats. However, he has denied any wrongdoing, and previously asked for leniency on his sentence after he was diagnosed with  an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer in November 2021. 

In another post on X, shared the same day as the Chrisleys’ pardon, he alleged that he “did not hurt anyone,” “had no plans to hurt anyone” and was “treated in ways no American should ever endure.”

The Trump Administration has not yet responded to Exotic’s comments.

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On May 27, President Donald Trump announced that he had granted Todd, 57, and Julie, 52, full pardons following their conviction of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. The pair were initially indicted in August 2019 and later reported to prison in January 2023. They have been appealing their case ever since their sentencing.

Initially, Julie’s appeal was granted due to insufficient evidence, while Todd’s was upheld. However, a separate judge later ruled that her original punishment was sufficient. (Their original sentences were reduced in September 2023.)

“It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump said to the couple’s children via a phone call. “I hope we can do it by tomorrow. … I don’t know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good luck.”

The couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, 27, reacted to the news in a statement shared with PEOPLE saying: “For the past two and a half years, I’ve done everything in my power to fight for my parents’ freedom and bring them home. This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family.”

“… Today is a victory for our family, but the fight against wrongful convictions and injustice within our prison system is far from over. I will continue to use my voice and platform to advocate for those who do not have one,” she added. “Family is everything to me, and I will never stop fighting for what is right.”