I think it is largely "it depends".
For the record, if we're talking about Zimbabwe a trophy elephant is lawful for export. The question is if you as an American can obtain a USFWS import authorization.
To do that requires the selection of a very specific operator and concession in Africa. The USFWS has a litany of things they want to see to justify the import. This includes an established track record in the area, antipoaching counts, local investment in the community, sources and uses of funds, support for the campfire, long term game counts, and evidence that the elephants were abundant AND that the death of the elephant was a net benefit to the survival of the species.
Caveat emptor. That world famous outfitter/operator that just bought quota from a shady non-hunting politically connected concession holder has none of these things to present. They are just rolling in, buying quota and getting the hell out. They'll just say "we sold you an exportable elephant, its your fault and your problem you can't import it into the USA".
Tokoloshe Safaris and Mapassa safaris are two operations that appear to have recent success on export based on the USFWS case-by-case criteria. I'm sure if you asked conservation force or better yet, emailed the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit that prevailed against USFWS recently, they would tell you where and who they hunted with. The where, the who, and with Conservation Force representing the import permit are the key ingredients to winning an import approval.
Failure to do your due diligence will result in you paying for a very expensive management hunt that was sold to you as an exportable trophy bull hunt.
