President Donald Trump has publicly backed Jensen Huang, the CEO of AI chip giant Nvidia, after Huang admitted to an affair with a woman U.S. intelligence officials suspect was working for Chinese intelligence. The controversy has triggered an independent investigation by Nvidia’s board, calls for congressional testimony, and a drop in the company’s stock.
Speaking to reporters in Florida on Sunday, November 8, 2026, Trump said he had not spoken to Huang about the allegations but described him as a “fine person” who had done an “incredible job”. Asked whether Huang should remain as CEO, Trump replied, “I think so. Oh yeah, sure”.
A quick heads-up: This story includes details about an extramarital relationship and allegations of foreign espionage.
What Trump Said About Jensen Huang
Trump’s comments came shortly after Nvidia announced it was launching an independent investigation into whether Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. The president said he was unaware of Huang having done “anything wrong” and suggested the executive could still join him on a planned trip to Asia later this month.
“I think he’s an honourable guy, I think he probably has an excuse for it,” Trump told reporters. “He’s done an amazing job for our country”.
Trump also said the United States was looking “very closely” at the matter but reiterated his support for Huang. “I have a lot of respect for Jensen. I didn’t know about the specific thing, but I hope he’s going to be OK. He’s a great, brilliant person, and we want to protect our brilliant people,” Trump said at his Florida residence.
When asked if he should have acted on intelligence about the situation when he was briefed roughly a year ago, Trump did not directly comment. “No, I don’t think so. I think he’s an honorable guy,” he said.
The New York Times reported that Trump was briefed about the intelligence findings roughly a year ago and chose not to act on the information.
The Woman at the Centre of the Controversy
The controversy centres on Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, a Chinese citizen who previously held a senior position at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data centre company that buys AI chips from Nvidia. She is not related to Jensen Huang.
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Alice Huang was recruited by China’s top intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security, to gather information on the Nvidia chief. The assessment was based on classified intelligence from electronic surveillance.
Megaspeed has been under scrutiny from U.S. authorities over suspicions that it helped Beijing gain access to advanced AI chips that are barred from shipment to China. The company bought more than $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over the past two years, according to The New York Times.
Alice Huang was previously a television reporter in China before becoming a top executive at Megaspeed, which became one of Nvidia’s biggest customers in Southeast Asia. Surveillance reportedly revealed communications between Alice Huang and an American citizen, who was later identified as Jensen Huang through a process known as “unmasking”.
Nvidia has said that Jensen Huang’s interactions with Alice Huang were “not unusual or unexpected” and that customers like Megaspeed receive ordinary business information, not sensitive trade secrets.
Nvidia Launches Independent Investigation
Nvidia’s board announced on Sunday, November 8 that it was initiating an independent investigation into whether Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort. A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation.
While the board said it had no reason to believe that either U.S. national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, the inquiry will examine all available information. Huang will remain CEO during the investigation and has committed to cooperating fully.
“Today’s news will not slow Nvidia,” company spokesperson John Rizzo said in a statement. “Jensen is committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO without interruption”.
The board said it prioritises U.S. national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of Nvidia and its shareholders.
Jensen Huang’s Apology to Employees
In an email to Nvidia employees on November 8, Huang admitted to being unfaithful to his wife and took full responsibility for his actions. The email was published on Nvidia’s official newsroom.
“I owe my family and all of you an apology. I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry”.
Huang said his family had given him love and support and that he had let them down. He also apologised to his colleagues, board, partners, and shareholders.
“Leading Nvidia is the privilege of my life. My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility”.
Regarding the national security concerns, Huang said he supports the investigation and will cooperate fully. “I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American,” he wrote.
What Congress Wants from Huang
Three Republican House committee chairs have asked Huang to brief Congress behind closed doors on November 18, 2026. The request came in a letter from Representatives Brian Mast of Florida, John Moolenaar of Michigan, and Rick Crawford of Arkansas, who chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and the Select Committee on Intelligence, respectively.
The lawmakers are seeking answers on Nvidia’s protocols to protect itself from foreign adversaries and Huang’s interactions with Alice Huang.
“Recent reports raise significant national security concerns regarding the People’s Republic of China’s access to sensitive U.S. technology and information,” the letter reads.
“The issue of PRC infiltration and access to cutting-edge U.S. technology is core to the investigative work of our three committees this Congress. It is vital that Congress determines the extent to which U.S. national security has been placed at risk”.
Democratic lawmakers have also called for scrutiny. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware posted on X: “The more I learn about the insane relationship between the Trump Administration, Chinese spies, and AI billionaires, the more I’m convinced there is nothing this administration does that isn’t corrupt. Congress will investigate and get answers”.
China Denies the Allegations
China has rejected the allegations of a Chinese espionage operation targeting Jensen Huang, describing the claims as “groundless speculation”.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “The report in question is based on groundless speculation and is nothing more than an attempt to smear China”.
Nvidia’s spokesman John Rizzo said that allegations the Singaporean company was smuggling chips to China “were thoroughly investigated and debunked last year”.
The Classified Memo and Trump’s China Trip
Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the drafting of a highly classified memo this spring warning top Trump administration officials that Jensen Huang was in a close relationship with a Chinese spy. The memo was circulated to administration officials with high-level security clearances ahead of a trip Trump took to China in May, according to The New York Times.
Despite his status as an AI pioneer, Jensen Huang was initially left off the list of major business and tech executives invited to join Trump in China. However, after seeing reports that Huang wasn’t coming, Trump called him and extended an invitation.
Huang flew to Alaska and boarded Air Force One during a layover. Trump praised him as “the Great Jensen Huang” in a social media post.
Nvidia’s Stock and Industry Reaction
Nvidia shares fell about 3.4% in extended trading on November 9 following the announcement of the investigation. The company’s stock had already given up all its gains this year amid a broader tech market decline over worries about the pace of AI spending.
Dan Ives, a partner at Yorkville & Ives Co., called the news “a black eye moment for Jensen” that will increase scrutiny of chip sales to China, which Huang has previously lobbied for. The investigation will also cast a shadow over Nvidia’s share price as investors question whether Huang will remain at the helm of the company he helped found, Ives added.
“There is clearly risk that Jensen could be removed as CEO depending on the Board investigation and this will add risk to the stock as he is so important to the Nvidia story and strategy globally,” Ives said.
Key Dates and Scheduled Events
Nvidia is scheduled to report its third-quarter financial results on November 17, 2026, one day before Huang is due to appear before Congress. The company’s board investigation is ongoing, with a committee of independent directors and outside counsel overseeing the review.
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Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993, has led the company for more than three decades. Nvidia has become one of the world’s most valuable companies, with a market capitalisation of more than $4 trillion, as the rise of AI has driven demand for its chips.
The company reported quarterly profits of $59.69 billion in August.
Also Read: Trump Says He’ll “in Theory” Get Into Heaven—Then Admits He Won’t Forgive His Enemies Even for That
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