Trump Urged Nvidia's Huang to Stay as CEO Before Resignation

The resignation

Jensen Huang resigned as Nvidia's CEO following revelations of an affair with a woman believed to be a Chinese spy and another affair with one of his employees, according to The New York Times. Nvidia announced on Thursday that Huang had been replaced as chief executive. The company is being led by its CFO on an interim basis, according to The Verge.

Trump's call and comments

President Trump called Huang on Tuesday, before Huang stepped down, and urged him to keep fighting for his job, according to two people briefed on the conversation cited by The New York Times. The call was the latest instance of Trump defending and protecting Huang, who had become a high-profile ally and an influential adviser on artificial intelligence.

U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded that Huang was having an affair with a woman believed to be a Chinese spy. The president had been warned at least twice about Huang's relationship with a Chinese citizen known as Alice Huang, whom intelligence agencies concluded had been recruited by China's Ministry of State Security. The first warning was late last year, and the second was in the spring. Trump took no action either time and brought Huang with him on a trip to China in May.

Shortly after Huang's resignation was announced, Trump posted on Truth Social: "NOW THAT Nvidia CEO JENSEN HUANG, who has done a fantastic job, has resigned, there is only one man to take his place - TIM COOK of Apple." He added: "A Legend replaces a Legend!"

In an episode of Stephen A. Smith's Straight Shooter podcast published the same day, Trump said: "I had an idea this morning that I sort of just released: Tim Cook. He just sort of semi-retired from Apple. He's done one of the greatest jobs in the history of business."

Why it matters

Huang built Nvidia into the world's leading supplier of advanced AI chips. His resignation comes amid a spy scandal and follows intelligence warnings about his relationship with a woman suspected of being recruited by China's Ministry of State Security. Trump's public support for Huang and his suggestion of Tim Cook as a successor highlight the political dimension of the leadership change at one of the world's most important technology companies.

Sources

• theverge.com: Donald Trump really wants Tim Cook to run Nvidia | The Verge
• nytimes.com: Trump Had Urged Nvidia’s Jensen Huang to Fight for His Job - The New York Times
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This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.