Infamous “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic has made an emotional plea from behind bars, begging President Donald Trump to help prevent his husband’s deportation or allow him to transfer to a Mexican prison.

In a tearful phone interview from the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Exotic — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — revealed that his Mexican husband Jorge Marquez is facing imminent deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Exotic explained that authorities are deporting his husband despite Marquez not having any drug or gun charges. He said Marquez was in America illegally and was riding with two friends when they were all charged with trafficking each other, resulting in their planned deportation to Mexico.

The 62-year-old former zoo owner, currently serving a 21-year sentence for attempting to hire a hitman to kill animal rights activist Carole Baskin and for wildlife violations, expressed desperation at the thought of being separated from Marquez, whom he describes as his “rock” during his health struggles.

Exotic claims that while ICE initially planned to deport Marquez on March 3, the process was delayed until May due to legal documentation issues. He perceived this as a personal attack, noting that they moved the date to just two days before his birthday, which he felt might have been intentional rather than coincidental.

In his desperation, Exotic has taken extraordinary measures, including writing to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum requesting an international prison transfer to be closer to Marquez after his deportation.

Exotic shared that he had appealed to President Sheinbaum to intervene with President Trump, asking to have his sentence commuted to time served so he could relocate to Mexico if his husband isn’t allowed to remain in America.

He even offered a financial incentive to Trump, referencing a purported White House plan to introduce multi-million dollar “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 emotional toll of potential separation has driven Exotic to dark thoughts. He confessed that before meeting Marquez, he prayed daily for his heart to stop, and admitted that’s still all he prays for today—just for God to end his suffering.

Marquez, 33, married Exotic in a prison ceremony, which will be featured in an upcoming documentary titled “The Exotic Truth.” The couple met while both were incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center and formed a bond as Marquez helped care for Exotic during his health struggles, which include cancer and other serious medical conditions.

Exotic described how difficult and depressing life would be without Marquez, explaining that he’s devoted to his husband and wouldn’t look for someone else to fill that void whether Marquez is in the U.S. or Mexico.

The controversial figure has maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration. He stated that he had never done anything to deserve imprisonment, noting he had lived 55 years without even a speeding ticket. Exotic claimed he had devoted his life to helping sick children, homeless people, and raising money for various charities, suggesting he could serve the world better outside prison than watching other inmates use drugs and alcohol daily.

Exotic continues to characterize himself as a “political prisoner,” claiming he was imprisoned to facilitate 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. 

His health concerns have been a significant issue during his incarceration. Exotic, who suffers from autoimmune deficiency disorder, has experienced numerous health challenges behind bars, including vomiting, constant flu, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. He claims to have nearly died from “aggressive” prostate cancer before having potentially harmful colon polyps removed, and fears he may also have lung issues.

Adding to his medical woes, Exotic says he contracted scabies amid a prison outbreak, which he attributes to unsanitary conditions, including rat infestations. He claims his living conditions are worse than those of any animal he kept at his zoo, despite being in America, but fears showing evidence would result in solitary confinement.

Exotic explained the crucial role Marquez has played in his care. He described Marquez as his only support, saying his husband has been beside him and helped him through his illness, including holding his head while he was vomiting. With his parents deceased and no one outside prison, Exotic emphasized his love for his husband and his desire to spend his life with him.

Despite his current predicament, Exotic is attempting to relaunch his public profile through a new documentary series called “The Exotic Truth,” which will be overseen by Emmy-winning documentarian Serena DC. The series promises to reveal unheard aspects of Exotic’s colorful life and his version of events depicted in the Netflix series “Tiger King,” which catapulted him to fame five years ago.

Exotic stated that nobody knows his real story and the truth behind “Tiger King,” and it’s time to tell it. He mentioned that Serena is the first person to interview him face-to-face in seven years.

Serena expressed excitement about the project, stating: “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 is scheduled for release sometime in 2025 and promises an unfiltered look at Exotic’s story and claims about his conviction. According to Serena, if Exotic’s claims prove true, it would represent a chilling example of how words can be weaponized.

For now, Exotic remains in federal custody while continuing his legal battle and awaiting 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.