Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic of “Tiger King” fame, has made a plea from prison for President Donald Trump’s intervention to halt the deportation of his husband or enable his transfer to a Mexican prison.
During a phone interview from the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Maldonado-Passage disclosed that his husband, Jorge Marquez, a Mexican national, is under threat of imminent deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Maldonado-Passage, despite Marquez having no drug or firearm charges, he is being deported because he was in the US illegally and was apprehended while riding with two friends who were charged with trafficking each other. This led to their pending deportation to Mexico.
The 62-year-old former zoo owner, currently serving a 21-year sentence for attempting to organize a hit on animal rights activist Carole Baskin and for wildlife violations, expressed concern over the possibility of being separated from Marquez, who he refers to as his pillar of support during his health challenges.
Maldonado-Passage stated that although ICE initially planned to deport Marquez on March 3, 2025, the procedure was postponed until May due to issues with legal documentation. He interpreted this move as a personal slight, noting that the new date was just two days before his birthday, which he claimed could be intentional and not a coincidence.
In his bid to prevent his husband’s deportation, Maldonado-Passage has written to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum requesting an international prison transfer to be nearer to Marquez once he is deported.
Maldonado-Passage also mentioned that he has asked President Sheinbaum to intercede with President Trump to commute his sentence to time served, allowing him to relocate to Mexico if his husband cannot stay in America.
He even proposed a monetary incentive to Trump, referring to an alleged White House plan to introduce “gold cards” for wealthy immigrants. “If I had $5 million, I’d give President Trump five million bucks,” he said. “Unfortunately, I’m a poor American. That just worked my whole life for the American dream that they took away from me.”
The potential separation has taken a heavy emotional toll on Maldonado-Passage. He disclosed that before knowing Marquez, he prayed daily for his heart to stop, and that remains his sole prayer today—asking for an end to his suffering.
Marquez, 33, and Maldonado-Passage got married in a prison ceremony, slated to be showcased in an upcoming documentary titled “The Exotic Truth.” The duo met while both were in the Federal Medical Center and formed a bond as Marquez assisted Maldonado-Passage with his health issues, which include cancer and other severe medical conditions.
Maldonado-Passage described how challenging and bleak life without Marquez would be, asserting his commitment to his husband and stating that he would not seek another partner regardless of whether Marquez is in the U.S. or Mexico.
Maldonado-Passage has consistently professed his innocence throughout his incarceration. He asserted that he had never acted in a way that warranted imprisonment, highlighting that he had lived 55 years without a speeding ticket. He said his life’s work has been dedicated to aiding sick children, homeless individuals, and fundraising for various charities, arguing that he could be more useful to society outside prison rather than observing other inmates use drugs and alcohol daily.
Claiming to be a “political prisoner,” he alleged that he was imprisoned to enable the passage of the Big Cat Safety Act. “I consider myself a political prisoner because they wanted to pass the Big Cat Safety Act and put me in prison. I was convicted on hearsay and I’ve been kidnapped by the government,” he stated.
Health concerns have been a significant issue during his incarceration. Maldonado-Passage, who suffers from an autoimmune deficiency disorder, has faced significant health challenges in prison, including constant flu, vomiting, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. He reported nearly dying from “aggressive” prostate cancer before having potentially harmful colon polyps removed and fears he may also have lung issues.
Maldonado-Passage also claimed he contracted scabies during a prison outbreak, which he attributed to unsanitary conditions, including rat infestations. He alleged that his living conditions are worse than those of any animal he kept at his zoo, despite being in America, but fears providing evidence would result in solitary confinement.
He highlighted the crucial role Marquez has played in his care, describing him as his only support. He stated that his husband had been there for him throughout his illness, even helping him during episodes of vomiting. With no living parents and no one outside prison, Maldonado-Passage emphasized his love for his husband and his desire to spend his life with him.
Despite his current circumstances, Maldonado-Passage is attempting to revive his public image through a new documentary series titled “The Exotic Truth,” which will be managed by Emmy-winning documentarian Serena DC. The series aims to reveal unexplored aspects of Maldonado-Passage’s vibrant life and his account of events depicted in the Netflix series “Tiger King,” which propelled him to fame five years ago.
Maldonado-Passage stated that no one knows his real story and the truth behind “Tiger King,” and it’s time to tell it. He mentioned that Serena was the first to interview him face-to-face in seven years.
Serena expressed enthusiasm about the project: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear his story directly from him – raw, unfiltered, and straight from prison. Joe has so much to say about his conviction, the betrayals he’s faced, and the shocking truths that the world needs to hear.”
The documentary, slated for release in 2025, promises an unvarnished look at Maldonado-Passage’s story and allegations about his conviction. According to Serena, if Maldonado-Passage’s claims are verified, it would represent a chilling example of how words can be weaponized.
Currently, Maldonado-Passage remains in federal custody while he continues his legal battle and awaits the resolution of his husband’s immigration case. His sentence was reduced by one year in January 2022, bringing it down to 21 years, but he continues to hope for either a successful appeal or a presidential pardon that would allow him to reunite with Marquez.
