Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Receives Full Pardon From Trump

Trevor Milton, teh controversial founder of Nikola Corp., a now-defunct electric truck company, was granted a full presidential pardon by Donald trump on March 27. This decision wipes out his previous conviction for securities fraud.

Trump has been vocal about what he perceives as politically charged prosecutions by the Justice Department.Milton faced charges in 2022 for misleading investors regarding Nikola’s technology adn was sentenced to four years behind bars.

The morning after the pardon,there was no official word from the Trump governance; however,a White House representative confirmed it to Bloomberg.

A jury found Milton guilty on three counts of securities and wire fraud following a two-month trial in New York. Prosecutors argued that he consistently overstated Nikola’s electric trucks’ capabilities through various media channels. A key piece of evidence included a promotional video where a Nikola semi appeared to drive autonomously—though it had actually been towed up a hill and filmed rolling down.

The jury reached its verdict quickly, leading Judge Edgardo Ramos to sentance Milton in December 2023.Prosecutors sought an eleven-year sentence due to significant financial losses attributed to his statements; however, Milton claimed he never intended any deception and attributed his errors to naivety.

A Unique Case: Unlike many corporate fraud cases that rely on formal documents or filings, this one unfolded through social media posts and public appearances—making it stand out among white-collar crime stories of this decade.

Pardon Reflections

After receiving the pardon, Milton expressed dissatisfaction with the justice system while thanking Trump publicly. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about countless Americans who have faced similar injustices,” he stated via press release from his team. He criticized New York’s high conviction rates as alarming and indicative of prosecutorial overreach.

“I’m deeply thankful for President Trump’s bravery in doing what’s right,” he added regarding his pardon.

Trevor’s tweet:
“Today I received an unconditional pardon from @realDonaldTrump himself! This is not just my victory but one for all those wronged by our government.”
— Trevor Milton (@nikolatrevor) March 28, 2025

Nikola’s Journey

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Nikola launched back in 2014 and briefly saw its market value soar past Ford Motor Co.’s after going public via SPAC merger in 2020—a meteoric rise reminiscent of other tech startups like Beyond Meat during their initial hype phases before facing scrutiny over their business models.
However, things took a turn when allegations surfaced regarding deceptive practices shortly after Milton stepped down as executive chairman amid accusations from short-sellers.
On february 19th this year,Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due largely to ongoing financial struggles exacerbated by safety concerns surrounding battery technology.
An auction is set for April where assets—including their Arizona manufacturing facility—will be sold off amidst dwindling investor confidence.