Disgraced zookeeper and Tiger King subject Joe Exotic expressed delight on Tuesday at the prospect of one of former President Donald Trump's White House insiders potentially testifying against him.
Mark Meadows, former White House Chief of Staff to Trump, reportedly provided testimony before a federal grand jury investigating various matters related to the former president.
According to The New York Times, Meadows has largely remained out of the public eye, leading some of Trump's advisors to believe that he could be a significant witness in ongoing inquiries.
The investigations into Trump's actions, including his efforts to remain in office despite losing the 2020 election and the handling of classified documents, appear to be gaining momentum, with the possibility of an imminent indictment on charges such as obstruction of justice.
Exotic, currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for multiple offenses, tweeted from behind bars or with the assistance of someone tweeting on his behalf.
He sarcastically advised Trump to seek "advice for [his] legal problems" from Meadows and offered to save him "a bunk and a bedroll."
\u201c@MeidasTouch Hey @realDonaldTrump - Ask @MarkMeadows for advice for your legal problems just like you let him dictate mine. I will save you a bunk and a bed roll. #JoeExotic2024\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, gained notoriety for attempting to hire a hitman to murder his rival Carole Baskin and for committing federal wildlife violations.
During Trump's presidency, Exotic and his attorneys sought a pardon from Trump, and there were public discussions about the possibility.
However, it was reported in a book published last year that Meadows played a role in advising against the pardon. The book, co-written by Brian Morgenstern, a former Deputy Press Secretary in the Trump administration, quoted Meadows as saying:
"Yeah, that doesn't sound like something we ought to be involved in."
To underscore these facts, Exotic tweeted an older post in which he'd attacked Meadows after the news of the hand Meadows had played in denying him a pardon became public.
\u201c@MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows https://t.co/ZyDsAmVUo8\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
To say people were amused by the exchange is an understatement.
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows I feel like I\u2019m in a parallel universe right now. Joe\u2026 \ud83d\udc40\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows Our world is not real\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows The most #Murica thread ever\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows Joe Exotic joins the group chat. \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows I\u2019m here for the Tiger King shade!\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows I did not have @joe_exotic responding on the bingo card tonight! They\u2019re coming out of all corners of social media!\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
\u201c@joe_exotic @MeidasTouch @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows Well Donald will be relieved to know that he can access social media using a burner cell phone from prison\u201d— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) 1686088440
According to a knowledgeable source, Meadows has provided testimony to a federal grand jury as part of special counsel Jack Smith's ongoing investigation into the actions of the former President.
One area of inquiry focused on the handling of classified documents, while another explored efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as per another source familiar with the matter.
In response to these reports, George Terwilliger, Meadows' lawyer, released a statement affirming his client's "commitment" to truthfulness "when legally obligated to do so," while refraining from confirming or denying Meadows' appearance before the grand jury or any other proceedings.
The special counsel's office declined to provide any comments regarding the situation.
