President Donald Trump shrugged off espionage allegations surrounding Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, calling the embattled executive “an honorable guy” while admitting he had not discussed the matter with him. The remarks landed as Nvidia’s board opened an independent probe into whether Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
Donald Trump’s response to Jensen Huang’s admitted affair and Nvidia inquiry
Trump told reporters he knew nothing beyond Huang’s character. “I have not spoken to him about it. I just know he’s a fine person, but you never know what is going on,” he said, adding, “I hope everything’s fine.” The president then went further, suggesting the Nvidia CEO likely has an explanation: “I think he probably has an excuse for it. You have to hear it.”
The president also commended Huang’s track record, saying the executive had “done an amazing job for our country,” and floated bringing him along on next week’s Asia trip. “I don’t know, but I’d certainly take him,” he said.
The comments came hours after Nvidia confirmed its board would investigate reports that Huang had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who allegedly passed information to Beijing (via The Daily Beast).
The company said a committee of independent directors, working with outside legal counsel, would lead the review. Nvidia added it has no reason to believe US national security or its confidential information was compromised, and expressed confidence in Huang’s leadership.
Jensen Huang addressed the personal side of the scandal in a November 8 message to employees, admitting he did have an affair. “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did,” he wrote. He apologized to his family and colleagues and pledged to cooperate with the board’s investigation.
Nvidia has not set a timeline for completing its investigation. For now, the CEO retains both the board’s confidence and Donald Trump’s public backing, however qualified.
