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Donald Trump will 'take a look' at pardoning Tiger King's Joe Exotic

While much of the world has spent their time in coronavirus isolation watching Netflix's Tiger King, you'd expect the President of the United States, Donald Trump to have more important things on his mind.

However, Trump has revealed that he will "take a look" into pardoning Tiger King's Joe Exotic while giving a coronavirus press briefing at the White House on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump
Donald Trump has said he will "take a look" at pardoning Tiger King's Joe Exotic during a coronavirus briefing. Photo: Getty

The New York Post's Steven Nelson asked Trump if he'd consider pardoning Joe Exotic, real name Joseph Maldonado Passage, given recent comments made by his son Donald Trump Jr during an interview with SiriusXM radio.

In the interview, Trump Jr said he thought that the 22-year sentencing seemed "aggressive".

He said on air, "Now, I don't even know exactly what he was charged with... I watched the show, but it was like, I don't know exactly what he was guilty of or wasn't."

Trump Jr went on to say, "It doesn't seem like he was totally innocent of anything. But when they're saying, 'We're putting this guy away for 30 years,' I'm saying that seems sort of aggressive."

Tiger King's Joe Exotic
Donald Trump Jr revealed on live radio that he thought Tiger King's Joe Exotic (pictured) was given an "aggressive" sentencing. Photo: Netflix

The New York Post reporter asked Trump if he'd consider helping the former zoo owner.

“[Joe Exotic] is asking you for a pardon, saying he was unfairly convicted,” he explained.

“Your son yesterday jokingly said that he was going to advocate for it... Do you have any thoughts on pardoning Joe Exotic?"

Trump admitted he hadn't seen the docuseries and asked Nelson, "Are you recommending a pardon? As a reporter you’re not allowed to do that."

He concluded by saying he'll "take a look" at the situation, before moving back to the coronavirus.

Understandably, the off-topic question drew criticism on social media, with many calling it out for being a waste of time when the situation in New York City, where the reporter’s publication is based, is so dire.

Let’s hope the President sticks to working on the coronavirus pandemic and doesn’t focus any energy into Joe Exotic.

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