Trevor Milton, the founder of the electric vehicle company Nikola, who was convicted and sentenced to prison last year, was granted a pardon by President Donald Trump. The pardon, confirmed by the White House on Friday, could eliminate the hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution that prosecutors sought from defrauded investors due to Milton's exaggerated technology claims. Milton, who had not been in jail while awaiting an appeal, announced on social media and through a press release that he had been pardoned by Trump, expressing gratitude for the president's decision. The White House authenticated the pardon the next day. Nikola, previously a successful start-up that encountered challenges due to Milton's misconduct, filed for bankruptcy protection in February after facing cash shortage issues earlier in the year.