Nikola’s Bankruptcy Sale Is Clouded by Trump’s Anti-EV Maneuvers

Nikola Corp.’s plan to sell its business in bankruptcy is complicated by the federal government’s expected retreat from policies and incentives that were meant to boost electric-vehicle sales.

Judge Thomas M. Horan raised questions about the outlook for the electric-vehicle industry during the company’s first day in bankruptcy court on Thursday. In particular, he questioned whether the industry would largely be built out through private investment instead of relying on assistance from the government.