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President Donald Trump has pardoned Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola Corp. YouTuber CoffeeZilla, who has a reputation for exposing fraud, was not happy about the decision. He branded Milton a "convicted fraudster" and labelled the pardon "absolutely insane."
Milton had been convicted of securities and wire fraud in 2022. His conviction was for deceiving investors regarding Nikola's electric and hydrogen truck technology. The pardon was contentious, with criticism coming from many.
Milton was sentenced to four years of imprisonment but was out on bail as he appealed the conviction. The pardon signifies that he no longer needs to serve his time or make restitution to investors who lost funds.
"Convicted Fraudster Trevor Milton gets pardoned. Absolutely insane--Actually speechless. This is the golden age of the grift."
Why did CoffeeZilla criticize the pardon?
According to CNBC, CoffeeZilla specializes in uncovering financial scams and fraud. He feels Milton deceived investors and must be held accountable. By being pardoned, Milton is now exempt from any legal consequences.
On social media, CoffeeZilla posted that this move undermines accountability. He mentioned that this pardon is a wrong precedent. With fraudsters pardoned, people may be even more inclined to commit financial crimes.
Most people concur with CoffeeZilla's opinion. They opine that justice must be delivered and that individuals who commit fraud should not be let off the hook. The pardon has questioned the equity in the legal process.
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What were the charges against Trevor Milton?
As covered by the NY Times, in 2022 Milton was found guilty of securities and wire fraud. Prosecutors said he falsified claims on Nikola's technology to drive stock prices up. He stated the company had electric and hydrogen trucks that worked as promised when they did not.
Investors trusted Milton's words and invested millions of dollars. When the reality was exposed, Nikola's stock price fell. Investors lost millions of dollars. Trevor Milton thanked President Donald Trump and said on his X post on March 27, 2025,
"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 was sentenced to four years in prison for the acts. He was, however, on bail pending his appeal. The pardon signifies that he is no longer required to serve his sentence.
Why did President Donald Trump pardon Milton?
President Donald Trump explained his defense of Milton by stating that Milton was unjustly targeted. Trump indicated that the case was politicized. Trump and Milton have similar political leanings, and that could have contributed to the decision.
Those advocating for the pardon say Milton was unfairly treated. They say he was just attempting to create a business. They think he did not deserve to get such a lengthy sentence.
Critics, such as CoffeeZilla, disapprove of this argument. According to them, Milton's behavior hurt investors. They think a pardon should never be issued when there is fraud involving money.
The pardon of Trevor Milton has stirred up strong emotions. CoffeeZilla and many others feel that it sends a bad message. They believe financial crimes must be punished.
Milton no longer needs to spend time in prison or pay back restitution. This has upset many investors who lost their money. The ruling has also brought up questions about how justice is dispensed.
The debate will likely go on. Some feel that the pardon was just, but others consider it a bad precedent. Either way, CoffeeZilla has expressed his adamant disagreement with the decision.
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