UPDATE 5/29/25 at 8:43 a.m. ET — The White House responded after Joe Exotic’s comments about Todd and Julie Chrisley’s presidential pardon.
After the Tiger King star took to social media to criticize the decision to pardon the Chrisleys instead of himself, a White House official said in a Wednesday, May 28, statement to E! News, “We do not speculate on pardons that may or may not happen.”
Original story below
Tiger King star Joe Exotic has a lot of thoughts about President Donald Trump pardoning fellow reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley.
“I guess being innocent is not enough in America,” Exotic, 62, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, wrote via X on Tuesday, May 27, claiming that he’s been “left to die of cancer before I can get any help.”
He continued, “Why is it the entire world can see the evidence but the White House refuses to acknowledge that they did this to me knowing that they were lying.”
Exotic’s social media post came shortly after news broke that Trump, 78, pardoned Todd, 55, and Julie, 52, in their ongoing bank fraud and tax evasion case.
“It’s a terrible thing but it’s a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump told Todd and Julie’s daughter Savannah Chrisley in a video shared via X on Monday. “I hope we can do it by tomorrow. I don’t know them, but give them my regards. Wish them a good life.”
When Will Todd, Julie Chrisley Be Released From Prison After Being Pardoned?
Todd and Julie were indicted on charges of tax evasion, bank and wire fraud and conspiracy in 2019. They reported to prison in January 2023 to serve a combined sentence of 19 years, with Julie serving seven years and Todd serving 12 years. (Their sentences were reduced by nearly two years throughout their prison stays.)
Exotic, meanwhile, is currently serving a 21-year federal prison sentence following an alleged murder-for-hire plot involving rival Carole Baskin. He has frequently pleaded for Trump, 78, to pardon him and release him from prison.
Exotic also left a comment on Khloé Kardashian’s recent Instagram post, asking for help from sister Kim Kardashian, who has taken an interest in prison reform in recent years.
“Really need to talk to your sister,” Exotic wrote on Khloé’s May 20 Instagram post. “I have the evidence to prove I’m innocent just need her to call Trump for me.”
Chase Chrisley ‘Grateful’ as Parents Todd and Julie Chrisley Pardoned
Exotic told Us Weekly exclusively in November 2024 that he’s still holding out hope for his release while navigating a serious health battle.
“I still have faith that I’m going to walk out of here,” he said at the time, confirming that his prostate cancer is in remission. “I just need to live for the next five or six months and hope for the best.”
Exotic told Us that he wants to “move on and live a life” after getting out of jail — but he also has another goal in mind.
“I want to testify in front of Congress about the prison and justice system [and] what really goes on in here,” he said.
