In a cheeky nod to real-world politics intersecting with fictional mischief, Better Call Saul mastermind Vince Gilligan has speculated on the post-prison fate of his slippery antihero, Saul Goodman. During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, the creator quipped that President-elect Donald Trump likely issued a pardon for the disgraced lawyer—now serving an 86-year sentence—allowing him to slink back into the shadows. “I think Trump pardoned him, I think he’s out, that’s what I think, kinda tracks, doesn’t it?” Gilligan mused, drawing a parallel between Saul’s legal acrobatics and Trump’s history of clemency for high-profile allies.
‘Better Call Saul’ creator Vince Gilligan on what he thinks Saul Goodman is doing now:
“I think Trump pardoned him, I think he’s out that’s what I think, kinda tracks doesn’t it?”
(Source: @RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/4XPhoSSQSU
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 21, 2025
The remark, delivered with Gilligan’s trademark wry humor, arrives nearly three years after Better Call Saul‘s acclaimed 2022 finale, where Jimmy McGill—Saul’s true identity—finally faced consequences for his role in Walter White’s empire. Fans have long debated the character’s trajectory beyond bars, with Gilligan’s offhand theory fueling fresh online chatter. Accompanying clips from the interview show the writer chuckling at the absurdity, underscoring how the show’s themes of accountability and redemption echo today’s headlines.
Gilligan, whose Breaking Bad universe has grossed billions and snagged 16 Emmys, has kept busy since wrapping the prequel. He’s teased a mysterious “zombie thing” project for Netflix and hinted at potential Breaking Bad extensions, but this Saul update feels like pure fan service—blending satire with the series’ moral ambiguity. “Saul’s the kind of guy who’d charm his way out of anything,” Gilligan added, evoking Bob Odenkirk’s iconic portrayal of the fast-talking fixer.
Social media erupted with memes juxtaposing Saul’s courtroom flair against Trump’s rally rhetoric, while critics praised the insight as a reminder of the spin-off’s enduring cultural bite. As Trump’s inauguration looms in January, Gilligan’s jest spotlights how Better Call Saul‘s legacy thrives in unexpected, pardon-worthy revivals. For now, it’s a lighthearted escape hatch for a character who always finds one.
