Trump says the FBI is examining Huang’s affair with an alleged spy. China calls the claim a smear.
President Donald Trump said Monday the FBI is looking into Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s affair with a woman alleged to be a Chinese government agent, but he does not think Huang has reason to worry. Speaking at a White House briefing, Trump said the FBI is examining the matter “in terms of something else” and that Huang will be “in good shape.” He said Huang told him he had no idea the woman was a spy, and that he believes him.
China rejected the allegations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called the spy claim unsubstantiated and said it amounted to smears against China. Chinese state media have mostly focused on Huang’s admission of the affair. Alice Huang, who is not related to Jensen Huang, has not publicly commented.
Nvidia’s board announced an independent investigation Sunday, and Huang apologized in an open letter on the company’s website. He wrote that he is committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting national security. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are interested in investigating further and that the issue came up in a closed-door briefing with the CIA director and the Director of National Intelligence.
The affair has raised concerns over whether China has been able to access Nvidia’s advanced AI chips. Huang has lobbied Washington to loosen limits on chip sales to China. The Associated Press reported the company faces uncertainty over a possible successor and scrutiny from members of Congress.