“What does Kabuto got to do with this?” - Internet reacts as Joe Exotic seeks Pardon from Trump with viral anime post 

The plea made by Joe Exotic for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump has stirred renewed discussion through his unusual manner of appeal –– an anime-themed post featuring Kabuto. Joe, who infamously starred in Netflix's Tiger King, is serving a sentence of 21 years on counts of multiple offenses, including conspiracy to murder-for-hire for the assassination of renowned animal rights campaigner Carole Baskin.

As his post gained momentum on social media, the comment "What does Kabuto got to do with this?" was posted in response to Joe Exotic's anime-themed post accompanying his pardon request.

Kabuto Yakushi is one of the complex characters in the anime series Naruto, who evolved from a villainous role to an anti-hero. He was first introduced as a seemingly helpful character during the Chunin Exams but soon revealed his true nature as a manipulative antagonist.

His duality—presenting himself as friendly while harboring malicious intent—made him a character that audiences loved to hate. Whether Joe is identifying with the persona or if the message is something else completely is unclear.

The accompanying caption to the anime post read:

“If I was a crack dealer, maybe if I broke in the capital or even have been related to the Bidens. I might have gotten some relief on being in prison innocent.”

“Hell the guy who killed 2 FBI Agents even hot a pardon today. I can't even get a new trial based on admitted perjury testimony.”

Meanwhile, several other reactions to Kabuto followed. A user (@AUXCTlsr) stated:

“Kabuto in the pic is killing me😭”

Another user (@Nathanlong4545) stated: “Joe Exotic comparing himself to Kabuto after not getting pardoned was definitely not on my bingo card for this year 😭”

A user (ay4namis) asked: “what the hell kabuto doing😭😭😭😭”

A comment (@LilBeaono16) read: “Joe exotic truly is the kabuto of our time.”

In yet another post, Joe Exotic stated:

“Good morning America. Please don't forget me. I want to continue bringing the world smiles. I have been in here 7 year truly innocent.”

“Please give me the freedom I deserve and let get back to making America what is was before all of this chaos.”

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Joe Exotic's pardon request

Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was convicted in 2019 on several charges:

Two counts of murder-for-hire related to a plot to kill Carole Baskin.

He broke eight Lacey Act rules when he made incorrect wildlife record entries.

He entered guilty pleas to nine counts under federal wildlife protection rules.

He was convicted after claims that he hired hitmen and, slaughtered a few tigers in his own zoo. This case captured much publicity due to its sensational nature as well as the after-documentary exposure through the film, Tiger King.

So far, in January 2025, Exotic's lawyer, Levi McCathern, is pushing for the pardon saying he could be proven innocent by new evidence. McCathern stated to Fox 4 :

"Joe Exotic did not hire anyone to murder anyone. He was convicted of a murder-for-hire, but there's a problem with that. No one was killed, no one was paid and no one, except for Joe, was ever charged."

Exotic has also vented frustration about not being pardoned over the course of Trump's first term and has publicly criticized both Trump and Joe Biden for not doing anything about his case.

He argued that he would have received a pardon if his crimes had been even worse, specifically compared to those who entered the Capitol during the January 6 riot. This comes after more than 1,500 people who were charged with the January 6 attack on the US Capitol were pardoned by Trump.

Speaking with the media, President Trump, who was elected for the second time, stated:

"They’ve served years in jail. They should not have served, and they’ve served years in jail. And murderers don’t even go to jail in this country."

Meanwhile, in January of 2022, Joe Exotic's prison sentence was cut from 22 years to 21.

According to The Associated Press report from January 28, 2022, Joe Exotic's prison time was cut after the 10th Circuit Court ruling that his convictions for hiring two men to kill Carole Baskin should have been combined into a single charge because they shared a common goal.

At the resentencing hearing, several supporters of Exotic were present, some wearing animal-print masks to indicate their loyalty.

Carole Baskin testified at the hearing, citing her concerns over Exotic's possible release, saying she believed he would endanger her if released. Baskin was quoted by the news outlet as saying:

"He continues to harbor intense feelings of ill will toward me."

Despite these fears, the federal judge decided to reduce Exotic's sentence by just one year, making it 21 years in total. Back then he tearfully told the judge:

"Please don't make me die in prison waiting for a chance to be free."

Exotic is slated for release in 2036 as of January 2025.