WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively investigating Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang over his reported relationship with an alleged Chinese government agent, though he expressed confidence that the prominent tech executive faces no severe risks.
Speaking during a White House briefing, Trump addressed the unexpected controversy, which has sent ripples through the American political establishment and the Silicon Valley tech sector, raising fresh national security concerns regarding potential unauthorized access to Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI microchips. Demonstrating his rapport with Huang, Trump revealed direct communication with the CEO: “I know the FBI is looking into it in terms of something else, and I think that he’ll be in good shape,” Trump stated. “I did speak to him today just to see if he’s feeling all right, how you’re doing. He said he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy.”
Huang, a towering figure in the global technology landscape and among the world’s wealthiest individuals, publicly acknowledged the relationship by issuing a formal apology to his wife and the corporation via an open letter posted on Nvidia’s official website. This followed reports by The New York Times indicating that U.S. intelligence agencies concluded the woman was gathering intelligence for Beijing. “I support 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,” Huang affirmed in his statement.
In response to the escalating situation, Nvidia announced on Sunday the initiation of an independent internal investigation into findings that Huang was the “target of a foreign intelligence effort.”
The sensational development has also drawn intense congressional scrutiny. Senior Democratic leaders Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries stated Monday that lawmakers intend to pursue independent inquiries. Rep. Jeffries noted that the Nvidia controversy was raised during a closed-door intelligence briefing with the CIA Director and the Director of National Intelligence, which was primarily convened to address regional developments concerning Iran.
“We’re going to need a full briefing, specifically as it relates to the Nvidia issue, so we can all get to the bottom of what has happened,” Jeffries asserted, “and what the implications are in terms of America’s national security.”
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