Nvidia Board Probes CEO Jensen Huang’s Affair with Alleged Chinese Spy; Trump Says FBI Is Looking Into It

Nvidia’s board of directors announced Sunday that it has launched an independent investigation into reports that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort.

Huang sent a message to employees acknowledging he had been “unfaithful” to his wife and apologizing for the harm to his family. The New York Times previously reported that U.S. intelligence concluded Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed (no relation to Jensen Huang), was gathering information for Beijing and had cultivated a close relationship with the Nvidia chief. A memo circulating among U.S. officials earlier this year allegedly described her as an asset of China’s Ministry of State Security recruited in part to influence Nvidia’s China-related business.

Nvidia’s board said it has “no reason to believe” that national security or company secrets were compromised but that the inquiry will examine all available information. Huang remains CEO and has pledged to cooperate. Nvidia shares closed down more than 4 percent Monday. Shareholders have filed suit alleging the company and Huang failed to disclose national-security risks.

President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he had spoken with Huang, who said he “had no idea she was a spy.” Trump added, “I know the FBI is looking into it. I think that he’ll be in good shape.” Chinese officials dismissed the allegations as groundless. Lawmakers had previously requested a briefing on the matter.