US Intelligence and FBI Probe Nvidia CEO Over Relationship With Alleged Chinese Spy

US President Donald Trump stated that the FBI is examining Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's relationship with a woman accused of working for Chinese intelligence services. Speaking at a White House news conference on Monday, Trump said federal law enforcement initiated inquiries following Huang's admission of an extramarital relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed who is not related to the Nvidia chief executive.

Trump stated that Huang told him he had no knowledge that the woman was an alleged intelligence agent, adding that he believed the CEO's assertion. Nvidia's board of directors announced on Sunday that it opened an independent inquiry overseen by outside counsel to examine all available information regarding the relationship, though the board stated it had no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised. In his statement admitting to the affair, Jensen Huang apologised to his family, colleagues, and shareholders, and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.

The revelations follow media reports citing unnamed US officials and an intelligence memo alleging that Jensen Huang was targeted by Alice Huang for intelligence-gathering activities. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the allegations, with spokesperson Guo Jiakun labelling the claims groundless speculation intended to smear China. Alice Huang has not publicly commented on the claims, and Nvidia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The controversy has drawn intense scrutiny in Washington due to Jensen Huang's influential role advising the administration on artificial intelligence and trade policy. Senior Trump administration officials, including Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, met with congressional intelligence leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss the matter. Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Jim Himes, raised national security concerns regarding the export of advanced semiconductors and vowed to pursue further investigations.

Jensen Huang has played a prominent role in shaping regulatory approaches to the artificial intelligence sector, helping craft a self-policing pledge signed by major tech executives at the White House in September. The CEO has also advocated for greater freedom to sell advanced AI chips to China. Meanwhile, the ongoing controversy has impacted financial markets, sending Nvidia shares sliding as investors react to the corporate and geopolitical scrutiny surrounding the company's leadership.