Phoenix Motor Innovator Nikola’s Founder Receives Presidential Pardon from Trump

By Matthew Holloway |

Trevor Milton, the founder and former CEO of Nikola Motor Company, has received a full and unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump. The White House confirmed this development on Friday. Milton had been sentenced to four years in prison for fraud by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), known for its high-profile prosecutions, including those against Trump himself.

In a statement on Instagram, Milton expressed gratitude for the pardon. He noted that it was not only a relief for him but also a victory for many Americans who feel wronged by the justice system. “Today I was issued a full and unconditional pardon by Donald Trump himself. He called me personally to tell me,” he wrote.

Milton further criticized the Justice Department, claiming that trust in the system has significantly eroded due to prosecutorial misconduct. “The 90+% conviction rate in New York is appalling. I saw firsthand the tactics they use to achieve those guaranteed convictions,” he stated. He thanked Trump for standing up against what he termed an unjust system.

In a video shared on social media, Milton described the pardon as the best day of the past five years, highlighting the personal toll the legal battle had taken on him and his family. “I am free. The prosecutors can no longer hurt me,” he stated, expressing relief at being able to reunite with his family.

When addressing reporters about the pardon, President Trump shared that Milton’s case had garnered support from many individuals advocating for his exoneration. He labeled the prosecution as politically motivated, deeming it unfair due to Milton’s early support for his campaign. “He supported Trump. He liked Trump,” Trump asserted, lamenting that Milton had been aggressively targeted by the SDNY.

Trump elaborated on the aggression of the prosecutors involved, describing them as a “vicious group” and expressing his shock at the extent of Milton’s struggles with the legal system over the past five years. He highlighted the overwhelming support and recommendations he received regarding Milton’s character from reputable sources.

According to reports from Reuters, federal prosecutors accused Milton of misleading investors about the capabilities of Nikola’s products, claiming that the company had developed a truck from scratch and that they manufactured their own batteries. These allegations form a critical backdrop to the justification for his pardon.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.