Trump Told of Nvidia Spy Allegations, Despite Denial
President Donald Trump said he was informed over time about allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a suspected Chinese spy. Trump said Huang denied knowing she was a spy and that he believed him. Nvidia has commissioned an independent investigation and says it has no reason to believe its secrets were compromised.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had been told over time about allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a suspected Chinese spy, despite Huang’s denial that he knew she was a spy.
Trump said he spoke with Huang by phone on Monday after reports that US officials believed the Nvidia chief had been targeted in a Chinese espionage campaign. Asked when he first learned about Huang’s relationship with the woman, Trump said he had been informed “over a period of time” but gave no specific timing.
“I asked him that question, ‘Did you have any idea she was a spy?’ He said ‘I had no idea she was a spy’ and I really believe him,” Trump told reporters.
Nvidia opens independent investigation
Nvidia said it had commissioned an independent investigation into the affair involving Alice Huang, who is alleged to be a Chinese spy. The company said it had no reason to believe its secrets or national security had been compromised.
The FBI is also investigating, Trump said at a White House briefing. He did not provide details or say when the investigation began. The FBI declined to comment.
Trump said he considered Jensen Huang an “honourable guy” and felt confident he would be “in good shape” after the investigations. He also said he hoped there would be no problem and believed Huang was “suffering greatly.”
US intelligence officials believe Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, worked as a spy for Beijing. She is not related to Jensen Huang. Alice Huang was managing director of Singaporean company Megaspeed, which has had dealings with Nvidia.
Shares fall as allegations draw scrutiny
Nvidia’s share price fell by more than 4% on Monday, cutting about $250bn (£190bn) from the company’s value. Nvidia designs computer chips central to artificial intelligence technology and is a major focus of the US-China AI technology race.
Washington treats Nvidia’s exports to China as a national security issue. Trump has warned that China leading in AI could strengthen its military and surveillance capabilities.
On Monday, Jensen Huang and Nvidia were named in a proposed class-action lawsuit in California. The lawsuit accuses them of defrauding shareholders by concealing Huang’s ties to Alice Huang and alleges the company lied to the media about the relationship.
The lawsuit says Alice Huang is suspected of seeking to help smuggle Nvidia products to China. Nvidia had been contacted for comment on the case.
China’s foreign ministry rejected claims that Jensen Huang was targeted, calling the allegations “entirely groundless, speculative and intended to smear and malign China.”
