President Donald Trump said on Monday that he plans to pardon a “very, very important person” today, leading to much speculation about who those VVIP (not as catchy as MVP, tbh) could be. Did I say “much speculation”? I meant, “Everyone thinks it’s the same person.” We know it’s not National Security advisor Michael Flynn and whistleblower Edward Snowden, as Trump personally ruled them out, and his previous pardons include far-right stooge Dinesh D’Souza and former-United States Army First Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who was convicted of war crimes. So, who could it be?
If you finally (blissfully) forgot about Tiger King, I’m sorry.
Do I think Trump is going to pardon Joe Exotic today? pic.twitter.com/JZXYhWwAuE
— Leif Skodnick (@LeifSkodnick) August 18, 2020
Back in April, Trump was asked whether he would pardon Joe Exotic, the Tiger King subject who is serving a 22-year sentence in prison for “various crimes of animal abuse and attempted murder for hire.” Trump replied, “I don’t know. I know nothing about it. He has 22 years for what? What did he do?” It’s the most honest thing he’s said at president. Exotic, real name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, later wrote a letter asking to be pardoned. “Let’s hope President Trump will… make this right and grant me a pardon,” it reads. “Keep my story alive and be my voice. Keep asking for that pardon.”
We’ll see if he got his wish today (UPDATE: he didn’t; it was Susan B. Anthony).
Big congratulations to Joe Exotic. https://t.co/BG4vTJQzDW
— Dan Primack (@danprimack) August 18, 2020
Would anybody actually be shocked if Trump pardoned Joe Exotic? Like would that actually surprise you in 2020? pic.twitter.com/iqBJRlDkrP
— CREW Sheisty 🤐 (@ItsJayTeeGee_) August 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/MalcomVex/status/1295686891958947841
https://twitter.com/dumpstergravyxD/status/1295689347191250944
https://twitter.com/StillNoFuqs/status/1295700496494333954
https://twitter.com/AlexUlrichh/status/1295692201062621184
Trump is gonna pardon Joe Exotic and win 50 states. https://t.co/Dkw73e0um2
— Phil (@philllosoraptor) August 18, 2020
Quite the third-act twist for the Nicolas Cage movie.
(Via Reuters)