US President Donald Trump has strongly defended Jensen Huang, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Nvidia, the world’s leading chip maker. These days, Huang is in controversy over his alleged relationship with a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence agent. However, Trump has openly defended Huang and called him an honorable person. Trump said he should stay at the helm of the chip company. Huang admitted in an email to his employees that he had an affair with a suspected Chinese spy.
This comes as Nvidia began investigating reports that Huang was the target of efforts by foreign intelligence agencies. On October 29, ‘The New York Times’ reported that Huang Chi was the target of an espionage plot. The conspiracy was led by a Chinese businesswoman named Alice Huang, who developed a close relationship with Jensen Huang. It was delivering Nvidia’s advanced AI chips and intelligence data to Beijing. Singapore-based data center company ‘Megaspeed’ top executive Alice Huang has been identified by US intelligence agencies as a spy (intelligence asset) working for China.
Huang sent an email to Axios
In an email obtained by Axios, Huang acknowledged that he apologized to his family and all employees. He also said that he would fully cooperate with the investigation. “I want to apologize to my family and all of you,” Huang said in an email to staff. I cheated on my wife. My actions have hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am very sorry.
Huang continued, ‘All my life, my family has loved and supported me. They deserve my honesty and loyalty. Instead, I let him down and damaged the life we built together. I take full responsibility for what I have done and the harm I have caused, and I accept the evil that comes with it.
Apologies to wife and family
To my wife and family, Huang wrote, ‘I love you. I know that an apology cannot change what I have done. I hope our family will heal and in time I will be able to regain your trust’
He added, ‘My colleagues at NVIDIA, including those I’ve worked with for decades and our boards, partners and shareholders around the world, deserve better than me. It has been the privilege of my life to lead NVIDIA. My responsibility is to serve you and deserve your trust. I could not fulfill that responsibility. I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your trust.
He said that due to the national security concerns raised in the news reports, NVIDIA’s board of directors has launched an independent investigation. I support the investigation and will cooperate fully. I love my country and my company, and I am committed to protecting NVIDIA and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American. ‘My family is not responsible for my decisions. I am responsible. Please give them privacy.
Initiated an investigation against Jensen Huang
Nvidia’s board announced Sunday that it has opened an investigation into chief executive and co-founder Jensen Huang after he admitted to an affair with a woman who US officials said worked for Chinese intelligence. When asked about the report Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he could not comment on it because it was an internal corporate matter.
Trump defended Huang
Here, President Trump has openly defended Huang and called him an honorable person. Speaking to reporters, Trump said that although he had not directly spoken to Huang about the new controversy, he believed the official had made a great contribution to the country. “I haven’t talked to him about it,” Trump said. All I know is that he’s a good guy, although it’s hard to tell what’s really going on. I hope all is well there. He has done an amazing job, so I have full hopes. In my view he is a good person.
When asked if he regretted not taking action earlier when intelligence agencies tipped him off about a suspected foreign spy network, the US president defended it, saying the public should be given the ‘benefit of the doubt’.
‘He is an honorable man…’
Trump said, ‘No, I don’t think so. He is a respectable person in my eyes. I think maybe they have an explanation for this, and you should listen to them. You can’t treat people like this. He has done great work for our country. When asked directly if he expected Huang to stay on as CEO of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence giant, Trump replied yes, I think so. Sure’.
The defense came as Nvidia’s board of directors launched an independent investigation into allegations that Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. Earlier there were reports that Huang had confessed to an extramarital affair with a tech executive, whom US intelligence agencies have described as a ‘Chinese agent’.
According to the company, the investigation will be conducted by a special committee of independent directors, supported by external independent legal counsel. Nvidia said it is conducting an extensive investigation, but there is currently no indication that the company’s proprietary technology or confidential information has been compromised.
Here’s what the company said in a statement
“Nvidia’s board is launching an independent investigation in light of recent reports that company founder and CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation,” a company statement said. A committee of independent directors, supported by external independent legal counsel, will oversee the investigation. The Board prioritizes US national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of NVIDIA and its shareholders. Although the Board has no reason to believe that national security or Nvidia’s secrets have been compromised, the Board will review all available information in its investigation.
The company further confirmed that Huang welcomed the internal investigation and promised to work closely with investigators. Nvidia said, ‘Jensen fully supports this review and has promised to cooperate with it. The Board has full confidence in Jensen and his leadership team and will provide further information as needed.
