Trevor Milton, founder of bankrupt hydrogen trucking startup Nikola, has been pardoned by President Trump after being convicted of fraud. Milton, sentenced to four years in prison in December 2023, was out on a $100 million bond while appealing his sentence. The pardon comes shortly after Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Milton plans to release a documentary telling his side of the story. Milton founded Nikola in 2014 and the company gained attention in 2020 after going public. However, allegations of fraud led to investigations and ultimately Milton’s resignation. Prosecutors claimed Milton made false statements to induce investors to purchase Nikola stock. Milton was ordered to pay nearly $168 million to his former company, which was to be used in Nikola’s bankruptcy case.
