Nikola’s Trevor Milton freed after Trump issues full pardon

Trevor Milton, the founder of electric vehicle manufacturer Nikola Motor, has received a full pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision was announced late Thursday through Trevor Milton Media, characterizing the pardon as a step toward Trump’s stated commitment to addressing what he described as “the political weaponization of the Justice Department.”

Milton had previously been sentenced in December 2023 to serve four years in prison following convictions on multiple charges related to fraud. His charges included two counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud, stemming from misleading statements and questionable demonstrations regarding Nikola’s product development and technological capabilities.

In a statement released following the pardon, Milton addressed broader concerns about the justice system, arguing that his case reflects systemic issues within prosecutorial practices. He criticized what he claimed was an excessively high conviction rate in New York, which he attributed to prosecutorial tactics rather than genuine justice.

“This pardon is not just about me—it’s about every American who has been railroaded by the government,” Milton said. He expressed gratitude toward President Trump, highlighting the pardon as an act of courage aimed at correcting injustices he perceives within the judicial system.

Milton initially responded to his sentencing by acknowledging his inexperience as a CEO and the consequences of his statements regarding Nikola’s products and technologies.

The presidential pardon now fully absolves Milton from the penalties of his conviction, allowing him to return to private life without any remaining legal obligations from the case.