Joe Exotic, the former zoo owner and star of the hit Netflix documentary series Tiger King, has announced his intention to run for president in the 2024 election. While he may be currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for a murder-for-hire plot against his rival Carole Baskin, Exotic believes he can still run for office. In a campaign video released on his behalf, Exotic addresses his controversial past and lays out his vision for the future of America.
Mixed in with videos of tigers and zoo life are political messages from Exotic's previous campaigns. That's right — the 2024 election cycle will not be his first foray into politics. Exotic has run for office several times before, including for governor of Oklahoma in 2018 and for president in 2016 as an independent candidate. But this time, he's running as a Libertarian, and he had a message for anyone questioning his ability to enter the race from prison. "Yes. I can run for president from prison," he says in the video.
It's not quite as grabby as his 2015 video, in which he says "I'm broke as fuck, I know nothing about politics, but I can goddamn guarantee you..." But Exotic's new campaign video still showcases his signature style and flair. He promises to protect the Second Amendment, defend the rights of small business owners, and fight against government corruption. He also takes aim at his nemesis Carole Baskin, who he claims is responsible for his imprisonment.
"There is a video HERE that pretty much speaks for itself about my life and who I am," Exotic says in the video. "There is nothing I am ashamed of that I have done in my past except for being stupid enough to trust the wrong people." He goes on to say that he's learned his lesson and is now ready to lead the country. "I'm asking you to forgive me for my mistakes, and give me a chance to make them right," he says.
Exotic's campaign video has already garnered thousands of views on social media, with many viewers expressing support for his presidential bid. Some have even called him the "Trump of the Tiger King world," citing his outspoken personality and political incorrectness. But others are skeptical of his candidacy, with some pointing out that he's currently serving time in prison and therefore unable to campaign in person.
Regardless of the outcome of his presidential run, Exotic has become a cultural icon in recent years, thanks in large part to the success of Tiger King. The documentary series, which premiered in March 2020, follows Exotic's life as a zoo owner and his feud with Carole Baskin, who runs a big cat sanctuary in Florida. The series also delves into Exotic's personal life, including his marriages and his legal troubles.
Exotic's campaign video offers a glimpse into his life behind bars, as he speaks from a prison phone while wearing an orange jumpsuit. But he's not letting his incarceration stop him from pursuing his political ambitions. "I'm Joe Exotic, and I'm running for president of the United States," he declares at the end of the video.
While it's unclear how much support Exotic will be able to garner for his presidential run, one thing is certain: he's not going down without a fight. His campaign video is a testament to his resilience and determination, and it's clear that he still has plenty of fans who are rooting for him. Whether he'll be able to translate that support into votes remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the 2024 election cycle just got a whole lot more interesting.
