Trump Pardons Nikola Founder Trevor Milton After Fraud Conviction

The pardon nullifies Milton's prison sentence and $680 million restitution, raising concerns over political donations and accountability.

Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola, was convicted in 2022 of securities and wire fraud for misleading investors about the company's technology.
President Donald Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon to Milton on March 28, 2025, nullifying his four-year prison sentence and restitution obligations.
Milton and his wife donated over $1.8 million to pro-Trump political committees in late 2024, raising questions about the motivations behind the pardon.
Nikola, once valued at $30 billion, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2025, with liabilities estimated between $1 billion and $10 billion.
Critics argue the pardon undermines trust in the justice system, while Milton and Trump claim it addresses systemic injustices.