Posted on 03/28/2025 1:46:39 PM PDT by Miami Rebel
Nikola founder Trevor Milton announced Thursday on social media that he had been fully pardoned by President Donald Trump.
"Today I was issued a full and unconditional pardon by @realdonaldtrump himself. He called me personally to tell me," Milton noted.
The Associated Press reported that the White House confirmed on Friday that the president had pardoned Milton.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House on Friday but did not receive a response by publication time.
"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 why trust and confidence in the Justice Department has eroded to nothing... I saw firsthand the tactics they use to guarantee convictions. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for his courage in standing up for what is right and for granting me this sacred pardon of innocence," Milton's social media post continued.
Milton and his wife gave more than $1.8 million to a Trump re-election campaign fund less than a month ahead of the 2024 election, the AP reported, citing the Federal Election Commission.
Nikola makes hydrogen-electric and battery-electric semi-trucks, but Milton has not been with the company for years. In 2020, the business announced that Milton was stepping down from the board.
"In October 2022, MILTON was convicted by a jury of securities fraud and wire fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud and mislead investors about the development of products and technology by Nikola," the Department of Justice noted in a December 2023 press release.
Another December 2023 DOJ press release noted that Milton had been sentenced to four years in prison. Though the AP noted that he had not been locked up, pending an appeal.
The company made a bankruptcy announcement last month.
"Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand, today announced that the Company and certain of its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware," a February press release noted. "Nikola has also filed a motion seeking authorization to pursue an auction and sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code."
I especially don't like the fact that his lawyer was Pam Bondi's brother. (I don't blame lawyers for the clients they represent, but this relationship makes the pardon look worse.)
This is the third pardon I've really disliked. The first was Jared Kushner's father at the end of the first term, and just recently President Trump pardoned one of Hunter Biden's buddies, a fraudster who hustled an Indian tribe.
Nearly $2 million in campaign donations goes a long way to rectifying any past misbehavior. One of Trump's best qualities is that he takes care of those who support him.
I agree wholeheartedly. This scam artist POS needs to suffer for the open thieving he has done. The idea that this POS was “railroaded” by the government is preposterous.
$2M through his close contacts was the rumored rate for pardons at the end of Trump I. I guess he figured he doesn’t need a middle-man now.
> One of Trump’s best qualities is that he takes care of those who support him. <
That’s one way to look at it. I suspect however that even many Trump supporters (including me) will take a much dimmer view.
Of course Trump is not alone in this regard. Many presidents have issued what could be considered questionable pardons.
There might be a point to this; the EV and Green Scam is the most pernicious thing foisted on this country since the FederalReserve(TM). None of this happens without powerful enablers.
If he’s prosecuted for this, and convicted, what does he get? Four years at a secure, safe ClubFed, while still being rich?
Call for hearings, ask this Milton fellow where the legal and banking infrastructure originates to allow scam companies like his to even exist. He’s no longer 5th protected.
If this is a motivation for the pardon, it could also be a shot across Elon’s bow.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.