'Tiger King’ Joe Exotic gives Trump advice on defeating Harris as he wishes to join his administration
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Joe Exotic, famously known from the 'Tiger King' series, recently shared his insights with Donald Trump on how to overcome Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
According to the Sun, Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado, has voiced his hopes of securing a position in Trump's administration should Trump prevail over Harris in the November election.
Joe Exotic's bold advice to Trump
In a recent interview with Newsweek, Joe Exotic advised Trump to "keep his mouth shut" and "get on track" if he wants to triumph over Harris.
Exotic, who is currently incarcerated for multiple crimes, including hiring hitmen, expressed his firm stance against Harris, stating, "[I] will never give my support" to her.
Despite his imprisonment, Exotic announced his own presidential bid in 2023, though he later suspended his campaign to support Trump.
From behind bars, Exotic has offered Trump advice on a range of issues beyond his usual realm, such as environmental policy, foreign affairs, and the domestic economy. He confidently claimed that Trump "would win in a landslide" if he took his advice seriously.
Exotic's comments come in the wake of Robert F Kennedy Jr's withdrawal from the presidential race and endorsement of Trump.
Harris surges in polls as candidates prepare for first debate
Meanwhile, Harris has gained momentum with rising poll numbers since securing the Democratic nomination following President Joe Biden’s historic withdrawal.
Recent polls show Harris leading Trump consistently since the Democratic National Convention. Harris holds a 50%-46% lead among registered voters and a 52%-46% lead among likely voters, with similar margins reported across various surveys. In matchups including third-party candidates, she maintains significant leads. Harris is ahead in key swing states, except for a tie in Arizona.
Despite a few polls showing Trump ahead, Harris’ advantage remains solid, reflecting a boost in Democratic enthusiasm since her candidacy announcement. Trump's campaign anticipates a short-term boost for Harris, termed the “Harris Honeymoon.”
Both candidates have been actively campaigning with their vice presidential running mates, Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The teams are currently gearing up for their first debate, scheduled for September 10.
Exotic also drew parallels between himself and Trump regarding their criminal backgrounds. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts for attempting to illegally manipulate the outcome of the 2016 presidential election and was ordered to pay millions of dollars as a result.
Exotic, convicted for ordering a murder and violating several wildlife protection laws, is serving a 22-year prison sentence. He questioned, "Who could possibly defend themselves against this justice system?"
Exotic blames Harris for his incarceration due to Big Cat act
Exotic, a self-described expert on the Endangered Species Act, attributes his incarceration partly to Harris’ support for the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which was enacted in December 2022.
This legislation bans private ownership and breeding of big cats for personal or commercial use. Exotic has vowed never to support Harris, stating, "I will never give my support" to her, due to this act."
Looking ahead, Exotic hopes to join a potential Trump administration, specifically aiming for the role of Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
He believes his expertise in wildlife conservation could benefit the country significantly, claiming he could "save this country several million dollars" and that he is "almost able to recite [the Endangered Species Act], word for word."
