Trump confirms FBI probe into Nvidia CEO after affair with alleged Chinese spy
Jensen Huang told the president he was unaware of the woman's intelligence ties as Nvidia stock dropped and Congress demanded oversight.
By Leila Reynolds ·
President Donald Trump spoke with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang on Monday morning following the company's Sunday night announcement of an internal probe into Huang's relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. During an impromptu press conference, Trump stated he called Huang to check on his wellbeing.
Trump reported that Huang assured him he had "absolutely no idea" the woman in question was a spy. "He said: 'I didn't know she was a spy, and I really believe him, '" Trump told reporters at the White House.
The president confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the matter. He described Huang as a person of very high quality and an incredible guy, expressing hope that no issues remain. Trump indicated for the second consecutive day that he wants Huang to remain at the helm of the world's second-largest publicly traded company. "I think he'll be fine, " he added.
Nvidia's board of directors launched an independent investigation on Sunday in response to reports that Huang was a target of foreign intelligence efforts. Simultaneously, Huang admitted to being unfaithful to his wife and apologized to Nvidia employees. Sources familiar with the matter told NBC News that U.S. intelligence agencies determined Alice Huang, the woman with whom Jensen Huang reportedly had an affair, was a Chinese spy. The two do not share a familial relationship.
Nvidia spokespersons did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday, though the company had previously stated Huang would stay in his role. The stock closed down 4.2% on Monday, posting the worst performance among companies in the Dow Jones and Nasdaq indices against the broader market trend.
Congressional scrutiny intensified following the revelations. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York who is expected to become the next House Speaker in January, requested a full briefing session on the situation. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Jim Banks of Indiana issued a joint statement arguing that Congress must take decisive action in overseeing AI-linked companies. They wrote that the developments make national security concerns more urgent and raise important questions Nvidia must answer.
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