Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known as Joe Exotic, is seen at the zoo he used to run in Wynnewood, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Share this @internewscast.com

(The Hill) – Joe Exotic from “Tiger King” is once again expressing his disappointment with President Trump. Exotic is upset over the decision to pardon reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley for their fraud and tax evasion convictions, while Exotic himself received no such clemency.

“You are either rich and connected or you’re poor and being trafficked by the system,” stated Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado, in a series of posts uploaded to his Instagram account on Tuesday, criticizing the pardons.

“I guess being innocent is not enough in America,” he remarked in another post shared on social platform X. “They all admitted to perjury on world television, yet I’m left to die of cancer before I can get any help.”

Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known as Joe Exotic, is seen at the zoo he used to run in Wynnewood, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known as Joe Exotic, is seen at the zoo he used to run in Wynnewood, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

He added in separate X post, “I don’t have a million dollars but I would give it if I could get out to work.”

In other posts on both platforms, the 61-year-old “Tiger King” star insisted he is innocent, claiming he “did not hurt anyone” and “did not pay anyone.”

Maldonado’s criticism comes after Trump pardoned the stars of “Chrisley Knows Best,” a reality series that lasted from 2014 until 2023. The couple was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion charges in 2022.

The ex-zoo owner has been serving a 22-year federal prison sentence since 2020 for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin, who also appeared in the Netflix documentary series. A federal judge resentenced Exotic to 21 years in prison in 2022.

He has been calling for a pardon from Trump since the president’s first term in office. He also pressed former President Joe Biden to offer him clemency while he was in office.

Maldonado has made a point to voice his displeasure almost every time a new pardon is announced. In January, he criticized the president and his predecessor after the former president granted pardons to some members of his family and Trump granted clemency to roughly 1,500 rioters charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. 

“If I was a crack dealer, maybe if I broke in the [Capitol] … or even have been related to the Bidens. I might have gotten some relief on being in prison innocent,” he said at the time.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
AG Pam Bondi has 'conflict of interest' in seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione, defense says

Conflict of Interest: AG Pam Bondi’s Controversial Pursuit of the Death Penalty in Luigi Mangione Case

NEW YORK — In a recent court submission, attorneys representing Luigi Mangione…
Luigi Mangione lawyers renew bid to toss death penalty charge, alleging Pam Bondi has a conflict of interest

Luigi Mangione’s Legal Team Seeks Dismissal of Death Penalty, Citing Conflict of Interest with Pam Bondi

On Friday, attorneys representing Luigi Mangione intensified their efforts to dismiss the…
US envoy Witkoff says high-level Miami talks focused on 'unified Gazan authority' as Israel ceasefire advances

US Envoy Witkoff Highlights Miami Discussions on Establishing a ‘Unified Gazan Authority’ Amid Progress in Israel Ceasefire

Efforts to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan are…
Target Lady Has Last Laugh on AWFL Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas, Gets Roaring Welcome at TPUSA

Target Employee Triumphs Over AWFL Grinch: Heartwarming Comeback at TPUSA Event

At 72 years old, Jeanie Beeman, a Target employee, received a warm…
State Attorney's Office to seek death penalty for suspect in deadly Putnam County stabbing

Putnam County Stabbing Case: State Attorney Pursues Death Penalty for Suspect

The harrowing nature of a recent crime in Putnam County, Florida, has…
Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday

Unwrapping Christmas: The Fascinating Evolution of a Worldwide Celebration

Christmas, a holiday celebrated by Christians to honor the birth of Jesus…
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Teen Among Five Injured in Arlington House Party Shooting Following Heated Argument

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An early morning house party in Jacksonville’s Arlington area…
$775 million Powerball: Winning numbers for Wednesday, Dec. 3

Winner Announced for Saturday’s $1.5 Billion Powerball Jackpot

WASHINGTON — Anticipation is building as the Powerball jackpot has soared to…
Boy, 15, and man, 38, slashed in Midtown Manhattan subway attacks 1 hour apart

Midtown Manhattan Subway Attacks: Teen and Adult Injured in Separate Incidents Within an Hour

In a troubling series of events on Saturday evening, two individuals fell…
University of Illinois lesson materials push leftist race, class struggles on future teachers: leaked lectures

Leaked Lectures Reveal University of Illinois’ Approach to Teaching Social Issues to Future Educators

EXCLUSIVE: Newly leaked slides from a freshman course at the University of…
Australian state weighs ban on 'globalize the intifada' chants, masked protesters in wake of Hanukkah attack

Australian State Considers Ban on Controversial Chants and Masks Post-Hanukkah Attack

In New South Wales, Australia, authorities are considering a prohibition on the…
LA deputies caught on camera racing into foggy ocean to rescue disoriented paragliders

Los Angeles Deputies Heroically Dive into Foggy Waters to Rescue Stranded Paragliders

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies heroically saved two paragliders from a…