Trevor Miltonfounder of the truck manufacturer $NKLA is currently at the center of a controversial connection between political donations, legal proceedings and a controversial pardon.
Milton was convicted in October 2022 in a high-profile trial convicted of securities and wire fraud. It was triggered by false statements about Nikola's technology that deliberately misled investors.
The court imposed a four-year prison sentenceand in March 2025 prosecutors demanded restitution of restitution of 676 million US dollars - including 660.8 million for defrauded investors and 15.1 million for a creditor.
Of note are Milton's major political donations to Republican organizations between September and October 2024, documented in
FEC-Aufzeichnungen. In total, he transferred 2.14 million US dollarsincluding:
- 920k USD to the "Trump 47 Committee" (10/2024),
- 284k USD to the Republican National Committee (10/2024),
- 56.6kUSD to the Kennedy Victory Fund (10/2024).
- Milton had not made any political donations prior to 2024, which raises questions about timing.
Milton's defense took over Brad Bondia renowned lawyer from the law firm Paul Hastings LLP, who had already represented $TSLA (-1Â %) and other companies. Bondi's sister, Pam Bondi, has held the office of US Attorney General. This family connection is currently leading to accusations of a conflict of interest, especially since President Donald Trump appointed Milton to the March 27, 2025 a "full and unconditional pardon" issued. The pardon not only released Milton from prison, but also exonerated him from paying the 676 million US dollars.
Critics see this as a classic Quid-pro-Quo-Szenariowhere political favors can be bought through financial contributions.
