Disgraced Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Named CEO of SyberJet Aircraft Months after Trump Pardon
ORLANDO, FL – Trevor Milton, the founder of electric truck startup Nikola Corporation who was convicted of fraud for misleading investors, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of SyberJet Aircraft, the company announced Tuesday. The move comes just months after former President Donald Trump controversially pardoned Milton in December 2023, a decision widely scrutinized due to Milton’s ample political donations and the ties between his legal counsel and then-Attorney General Pam Bondi.
milton was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of making false statements about Nikola’s technological advancements. He never served time, and following the pardon, publicly claimed it signified his innocence – a statement that does not align with the legal implications of a pardon.
SyberJet, a private equity-backed company, stated Milton will lead the development of the SyberJet SJ36, a planned nine-seat light jet aiming for speeds up to Mach .88.Deliveries are not anticipated until 2032.
The appointment has drawn criticism, particularly regarding claims made on the SyberJet website regarding Milton’s past accomplishments. The site describes Milton as “renowned,” a characterization some observers find inappropriate given his recent legal history.
Milton’s previous venture, Nikola, faced scrutiny after reports revealed exaggerated claims about its technology and production capabilities. The company’s stock price plummeted following allegations of fraud. While SyberJet is not publicly traded,securing funding for its aspiring jet project will be crucial,raising questions about investor confidence given Milton’s track record.
