Trump Pardons Bankrupt Nikola’s Founder Trevor Milton
In a surprise move, US President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Trevor Milton, the founder of now-bankrupt American electric vehicle (EV) maker Nikola. Milton was sentenced to four years in jail in 2023 after being found guilty of lying to investors about the success of the company’s technology.
The pardon was announced on March 28, 2025, with Trump stating, “He did nothing wrong, and he is a good person.” The move has sparked widespread controversy, with many questioning the motivations behind the pardon and whether it constitutes a violation of the public trust.
Milton, a Utah-based entrepreneur, co-founded Nikola in 2014 with the aim of developing a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. The company gained significant attention and funding, with its stock price skyrocketing to over $60 per share in 2020. However, the company’s claims about its technology and progress were later found to be misleading, and it was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2022.
In 2023, Milton was convicted of lying to investors about the success of Nikola’s technology, including claims about the company’s production capabilities and the quality of its vehicles. He was sentenced to four years in jail and ordered to pay a fine of $1.2 million.
The pardon has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it sends the wrong message about the importance of honesty and transparency in business and government. Some have also raised concerns about the potential conflicts of interest involved, given Trump’s own history of business dealings and his tendency to pardon allies and associates.
Trump’s pardon of Milton has also been seen as a blow to the US Department of Justice, which had pursued the charges against Milton and seen him as a prime example of corporate fraud. The move has been criticized by many legal experts, who argue that it undermines the rule of law and creates a culture of impunity.
Despite the controversy, Trump has defended his decision, stating that Milton is a “good person” who “did nothing wrong.” Trump’s pardon, which was granted without explanation, has been seen as a further example of his willingness to use his executive powers to benefit his allies and associates, rather than upholding the law and upholding the public trust.
The pardon has also raised questions about the future of Nikola, which is still reeling from the fallout of its bankruptcy. The company’s remaining assets are being sold off, and many of its employees have been laid off or have left the company. The pardon has done little to restore faith in the company or its technology, and it remains to be seen whether Nikola will be able to recover from its current financial woes.
In conclusion, Trump’s pardon of Trevor Milton, the founder of bankrupt Nikola, has sparked widespread controversy and raised important questions about the importance of honesty and transparency in business and government. While Trump has defended his decision, many have criticized it as a clear example of cronyism and a violation of the public trust. As we move forward, it will be important to keep a close eye on Trump’s use of his executive powers and to hold him accountable for his actions.
Source:
