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Trevor Milton, the disgraced founder of the now-bankrupt electric and hydrogen-powered truck company Nikola, claims to have received a full and unconditional pardon from former President Donald Trump. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Milton declared, “Today I was issued a full and unconditional pardon by Donald Trump himself. He called me personally to tell me.”
Today I was issued a full and unconditional pardon by @realDonaldTrump himself. He called me personally to tell me.
This pardon is not just about me—it’s about every American who has been railroaded by the government, and unfortunately, that’s a lot of people. It is no wonder… pic.twitter.com/qpT0jjI6Fy
— Trevor Milton (@nikolatrevor) March 28, 2025
This pardon comes after Milton was sentenced to four years in prison in 2023, following a jury’s verdict that found him guilty of deceiving investors about the company’s technological capabilities. Specifically, federal prosecutors accused Milton of misleading statements, such as claiming Nikola had developed its own batteries when it was actually purchasing them, and boasting about the success of the “Nikola One” semi-truck despite knowing it did not function properly.
Trump Pardons Nikola Founder Trevor Milton, Short Seller Jim Chanos Reacts: 'Please Tell Me This Is A Hoax'https://t.co/AiCJt5t0Jr
— John (@FintechAlgo) March 28, 2025
In October 2022, Milton was convicted on one count of securities fraud and two counts of wire fraud, though he was acquitted on an additional securities fraud charge. The White House and Nikola have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Milton’s claimed pardon.
Ironically, just last month, Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced plans to sell off its assets, marking a stunning downfall for the once-promising electric vehicle startup.
