Joe Exotic has missed out on a pardon from Donald Trump on his final day in office.
During his final hours at the White House, the 74-year-old issued a presidential pardon for 73 people, and commuted the sentence of 70 others, including rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black.
Tiger King star Joe is serving a 22-year prison sentence, after he was convicted of hiring a hitman to kill his rival Carole Baskin back in 2019.
The 57-year-old’s legal team told Vice New’s Greg Walters that they were “100% confident” that Trump would pardon the former zoo owner, and had even reserved a limo to pick Joe up from jail.
Joe Exotic's legal team tell me they are "100% confident" Trump will pardon the 'Tiger King' from his 22-year criminal sentence. Here's the 38ft "Monster Ram Truck Limo" they've reserved to pick him up. They plan to grab some McRibs immediately after. pic.twitter.com/mK69eGLiBV
— Greg Walters (@thegregwalters) January 19, 2021
Joe’s private investigator Eric Love appeared confident his client would be exonerated, telling Metro on Tuesday: “We’re going to be celebrating.
“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.
“I’ve got make-up, wardrobe, the whole unit that will come up. The first thing Joe wants to do, he wants his hair done,” he revealed.
“He hasn’t had his hair done in two-and-a-half years. That’s the first order of business. Then we’ll probably go and get some pizzas, steak, maybe a McRib.”
Despite his team’s confidence, Joe failed to make it on Trump’s list of pardons, with many reacting to the news on Twitter.
Star Trek actor George Takei joked: “Joe Exotic was hoping for a Trump pardon and even had a limo waiting, but it was a stretch.”
Joe Exotic was hoping for a Trump pardon and even had a limo waiting, but it was a stretch.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 20, 2021
Joe Exotic's limo driver hearing the news that he hasn't been pardoned: pic.twitter.com/vniYqqmLv1
— Toby Tarrant (@tobytarrant) January 20, 2021
Joe Exotic: “You gonna pardon me like Lil Wayne and Kodak?”
Trump: pic.twitter.com/VHudnsIz1s
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 20, 2021
Joe Exotic rn pic.twitter.com/PBDcC63rQy
— Astead (@AsteadWesley) January 20, 2021
You already know who Joe Exotic gonna blame for not getting pardoned… pic.twitter.com/fMKKLMHpNs
— Travon Free (@Travon) January 20, 2021