His legal team – led by investigator Eric Love – will reportedly fly to Washington DC for a “high level” meeting today to discuss a presidential pardon.

If the pardon request is rejected, the team will ask for a day pass granting Joe temporary release.

Real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, the star – who owned a zoo in Oklahoma – is serving a 22-year jail sentence for plotting to kill fellow big cat owner Carole Baskin, 59.

He was also convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse back in 2019.

But, after the success of Netflix doc Tiger King which told the story of his feud with Carole, Joe has been pushing for a pardon from Donald Trump .

According to reports, his legal bid recently found its way onto the president’s desk.

His legal team has targeted January 6 for a reason, because Congress will vote to certify Joe Biden’s election win today.

It is rumored dozens of Trump’s associates – and supporters – will be handed pardons to “distract” from the Democrat’s big day.

Trump vowed he would pardon Joe Exotic if his case warranted it.

Last month, a probe was launched into Joe’s welfare after Eric Love shared concerns about his treatment inside.

Mr Love, a Texas millionaire, filed an official complaint in November – setting out his fears that Joe may die in prison due to alleged poor treatment by staff and lack of medical care inside.

He alleges that Joe is not being given sufficient medical treatment to fight his common variable immune deficiency (CVID) which makes him vulnerable to Covid.