Summary

  • President Donald Trump said he supports Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's continued tenure despite the personal scandal.
  • Trump reiterated that Huang is "a terrific person" even as the CEO faces controversy over a relationship with a woman suspected of being a spy for Chinese intelligence.
  • Nvidia said it would begin a board-level investigation to determine whether Huang had been targeted in an intelligence operation by a foreign agency.

Forecast Trend Report by Period

President Donald Trump defended Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang, who is embroiled in a personal scandal, and said he should remain in the top job.

Bloomberg reported on November 8 that Trump, speaking to reporters before returning to Washington the previous day, called Huang "a terrific person" and said he should continue serving as CEO.

Asked whether he had discussed the allegations involving Huang, Trump said he had not. "I haven't talked to him about it," Trump said. "I only know he's a terrific person, but I don't know what's happening." Asked whether Huang should stay on, he replied: "I think so. Of course."

The controversy flared after Huang acknowledged that he had an inappropriate relationship with a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence spy. Nvidia said it would begin a board-level investigation to determine whether Huang had been the target of an intelligence operation by a foreign agency.

The New York Times reported on November 6 that U.S. intelligence officials had informed the Trump administration that the woman who grew close to Huang had been recruited by Chinese intelligence and tasked with gathering information.

The Times followed with a November 8 report saying U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the drafting of a classified memo outlining the U.S. government's concerns over the matter.

Trump also left open the possibility that Huang could accompany him on a planned trip to Asia later this month. He said no decision had been made but added that he would be willing to bring Huang along, stressing that he had not heard Huang had done anything wrong.

Suehyeon Lee