Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola Corp., has been granted a full and unconditional pardon by President Donald Trump, effectively overturning his 2022 conviction for defrauding investors. This pardon comes as a significant development, especially considering Milton’s high-profile case.
Milton was convicted of one count of securities fraud and two counts of wire fraud related to claims he made about Nikola’s progress to investors. He was sentenced to four years in prison in December 2023 and was ordered to pay his former company nearly $168 million following an arbitration case.
The pardon was reportedly delivered personally by President Trump in a phone call to Milton. In a video posted on X, Milton expressed his relief and gratitude, stating, “I am free. The prosecutors can no longer hurt me. They can’t destroy my family. They can’t rip everything away from me. They can’t ruin my life. It is done. It’s over.”
Milton’s case was highly publicized, with many questioning the legitimacy of some Nikola product demonstrations and several statements that were found to be misleading regarding the company’s progress on its vehicles. Milton maintained that he was not a seasoned CEO at the time and that his actions were not intended to deceive investors.
The pardon has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the motivations behind President Trump’s decision. Milton’s representation by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s brother, Brad Bondi, has also raised eyebrows. Nevertheless, the pardon marks a significant turning point for Milton, who is now free to pursue new endeavors, including the release of a documentary that he claims will tell his side of the Nikola story.
