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2mo ago

Trump Pardons Nikola Founder Trevor Milton After Fraud Conviction

The pardon nullifies Milton's prison sentence and $680 million restitution, raising questions about political donations and justice system integrity.

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CEO and founder of U.S. Nikola Trevor Milton attends a news conference held to presents its new full-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell battery trucks in partnership with U.S. Nikola, at an event in Turin, Italy, December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
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Overview

  • Trevor Milton, convicted in 2022 of securities and wire fraud for misleading investors about Nikola's technology, has received a full pardon from President Donald Trump.
  • The pardon eliminates Milton's four-year prison sentence and his obligation to pay $680 million in restitution to Nikola shareholders and other victims.
  • Milton and his wife donated over $1.8 million to pro-Trump political committees in late 2024, sparking scrutiny over potential connections between the donations and the pardon.
  • Trump defended the pardon, claiming Milton was unfairly targeted due to his support for Trump's political campaigns and suggesting systemic issues in the justice system.
  • Nikola, once a high-profile electric vehicle startup, filed for bankruptcy in February 2025 following years of financial struggles linked to Milton's fraudulent actions.