Trump backed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to stay on after he admitted an affair with an alleged Chinese spy. Tusk Ventures CEO Bradley Tusk wants Congress to investigate Trump’s relationship with Huang.
Nvidia, valued above $4 trillion, still fell about 4% Monday, per ABC News, after its board opened an independent probe. Tusk says sweeping the matter aside would deepen distrust in the AI economy.
Does Trump’s Backing Settle Questions About Jensen Huang?
Trump told reporters Sunday that Huang should remain CEO, though he had not spoken with him about the matter.
“I think he’s an honorable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it. You have to hear it.”
Trump, via CNBC
CNBC’s Eamon Javers described the remarks as a measured show of support, not an all-out defense.
Huang acknowledged the affair in a staff memo Sunday. Alice Huang, no relation to him, worked as an executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data center firm and Nvidia customer.
The New York Times reported that US intelligence concluded she passed information to Beijing. However, China’s government has called the allegation baseless, and Nvidia has said Huang’s customer contacts are routine.
Javers said at least four inquiries are in play, spanning Congress, Nvidia’s board, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies. Separately, three House Republican chairs asked Huang to brief them behind closed doors on Nov. 18.
Would a Probe Reach Trump’s China Chip Decisions?
Tusk said Huang should step aside temporarily during any investigation. He also urged the Commerce Department to ban Nvidia chip sales to China.
Tusk backs the AI Overwatch Act, a bipartisan bill on AI chip exports. It would give Congress 30 days to review and potentially block licenses to countries of concern, including China.
The Times also reported that Trump was briefed on the intelligence a year ago and took no action.
Any inquiry reaching Trump’s dealings with Huang could also test the president’s approval of H200 chip sales to China. Axios reported that Trump kept hosting Huang while he pressed to loosen chip export limits.
