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President Trump Asked About a Pardon For Tiger King’s Joe Exotic


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You just gotta love this.  

It looks like the Press is starting to have some fun with President Trump and maybe (at least a few of them) developing a good relationship.

Like this question.

I love it anytime President Trump smiles and is clearly having fun in the situation, and this most certainly qualifies.  

When the topic of the Tiger King comes up at a White House press briefing, you know it’s about to get good:

From The Hill:

President Trump on Wednesday was asked during his daily coronavirus press briefing whether he would consider a pardon for Joe Exotic, whose story was detailed in the hit Netflix series "Tiger King."

New York Post reporter Steven Nelson noted in his question to Trump that the show is "one of the biggest rating hits of the coronavirus, aside from these briefings." Nelson noted that one of the president's sons had quipped that Exotic deserved a pardon after receiving an "aggressive" prison sentence when he was convicted in a murder-for-hire plot.

"Must be Don. I had a feeling it was Don," Trump responded, referring to Donald Trump Jr.. "I know nothing about it."

"You think he didn’t do it? Are you recommending a pardon," the president added, going back-and-forth with Nelson, who made it clear he was not advocating a position either way.

"I’ll take a look," Trump concluded.

The president then turned to CNN's Jim Acosta, who drily said he wanted to "get back to the coronavirus if I can."

Nelson's question drew differing opinions among journalists and those tuning in, some of whom supported the light-hearted inquiry and others who felt it was inappropriate given the nature of the virus.

Watch Trump respond here:

Backup video:

And from Local KRON 4:

During the White House briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, a reporter asked President Trump if he would consider a pardon for Joe Exotic. 

Joe Exotic, whose real name is  Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is the centerpiece of the Netflix viral documentary “Tiger King.”

The 57-year-old is currently serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted in a murder-for-hire plot, but he claims he’s been wrongfully convicted. 

“I know nothing about it,” President Trump said. “22 years for what? What did he do?” 

After the reporter briefing explained the murder-for-hire plot, the president began asking other reporters in the room if they would recommend a pardon. 

“I’ll take a look,” he said.

I love how he jokingly pushed back on the reporter by asking if he was recommending a pardon....

Yeah, I don't think any serious reporter is gonna go to bat for Joe Exotic, even as oddly endearing as he may be.

My other favorite moment is when President Trump says "which son?  Don, it's gotta be Don...." and he was right!

Hilarious!

I'd love to see more of this side of President Trump.....and the MEDIA!  



 

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