Trevor Milton is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of Nikola Corporation, an electric and hydrogen-powered truck manufacturer. Born on April 6, 1982, in Layton, Utah, Milton has been involved in several startups, including dHybrid Systems, which focused on natural gas storage systems for heavy-duty trucks. In 2015, he founded Nikola Motor Company with the aim of revolutionizing the commercial trucking industry by developing zero-emission vehicles.
In 2020, Milton resigned as executive chairman of Nikola amid allegations of fraud. He was convicted in 2022 on charges of securities and wire fraud for misleading investors about the company’s technological advancements. Milton was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay $168 million in restitution.
On March 27, 2025, Milton announced on social media that he had received a full and unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump. However, as of that date, there has been no independent confirmation of this claim.
Milton maintains an active presence on social media, including Twitter and Instagram, where he continues to promote his vision for sustainable transportation.