Is Carole Baskin's husband really alive? How Joe Exotic reacted to the latest rumors

The discussion of whether or not the former husband of Carole Baskin is alive has exploded on the internet yet again. With the help of Twitter, the infamous storyline from the Netflix docuseries Tiger King has resurfaced.

Baskin entered the national spotlight in 2020 after the release of Tiger King. She was featured prominently for her feud with the show's titular character, former Oklahoma zookeeper Joe Exotic.

The docuseries also spent time delving into the disappearance of Baskin's former husband, Don Lewis, in 1997.

But several tweets went viral recently from users who just learned about claims that Lewis was alive.

The social media reaction seems to be a delayed response to a 2021 interview on This Morning, a British talk show on the streaming service ITV, where Baskin claimed to have a report from the Department of Homeland Security stating Lewis is alive in Costa Rica.

However, Lewis has never been confirmed as being found, and is still listed as missing according to the Hillsborough County, Florida, Sheriff's Office.

Joe Exotic's connection to Carole Baskin and Don Lewis

As outlined in Tiger King, Joe Exotic makes unsubstantiated allegations about Lewis' death. He believes Baskin murdered Lewis at the animal sanctuary the couple ran in Florida.

The show also documents the downfall of Exotic as he ultimately ends up in federal prison. He was sentenced in 2019 after being convicted of hiring two hit-men to kill Baskin, and crimes involving animals

Joe Exotic's response to viral tweets about Carole Baskin

A verified Joe Exotic Instagram account posted a response to the viral internet discussion Thursday. While Exotic remains in prison, the statement is written from his point of view and leads off with "If Don Lewis is Alive I Will Voluntarily Go To Death Row."

The post goes on to repeat much of Exotic's previously documented theory about what happened between Baskin and her former husband.

For years, Exotic has asserted Baskin murdered her husband and later forged the signature on Lewis' death certificate to collect on his life insurance policy.

The social media post ends by saying, "Joe Exotic #2024," likely alluding to Exotic's political history and possible future aspirations.

He ran for President in 2016, garnering 962 votes according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Exotic also ran for Governor in Oklahoma as a Libertarian in 2018.

However, don't expect a campaign in 2024 as the convicted felon is sentenced to prison for another 20 years.

Did Donald Trump try to pardon Joe Exotic?

No, but he entertained the idea. Trump was asked in April 2020 during a press briefing if he had any thoughts about pardoning Joe Exotic.

"I'll take a look," he said in the one-minute, lighthearted exchange with a reporter for the New York Post.

Is it even legal still to have a big cat business?

While Exotic remains in prison, Baskin continues to run her big cat sanctuary in Florida, but there are new restrictions on owning big cats, in case you were wondering.

The Big Cat Public Safety Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022, prevents private ownership of big cats and cheetahs. Current owners are exempt, but must register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Current owners also cannot breed their big cats or acquire more.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Carole Baskin claims former husband is alive in resurfaced interview