Jensen Huang Resigns as Nvidia CEO Amid Chinese Espionage Scandal as Colette Kress Is Named Interim Chief

Nvidia announced the resignation of its CEO Jensen Huang following the escalation of an espionage scandal linked to a woman named Alice Huang, whom US intelligence suspects of being an agent for China. Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO.

The resignation came after the New York Times published a report alleging that Huang is in a relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's Vice President of Health, in addition to his relationship with Alice Huang. Axios had quoted six senior sources saying that the Trump administration has seen disagreements over restricting chip exports to China, noting that Trump agreed three times to take measures against companies suspected of directing Nvidia chips toward China, but that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposed implementing those restrictions.

The investigation widened in scope to reach the White House; the New York Times reported that President Trump had been aware of the suspicions concerning Alice Huang months earlier, which contradicts his statements that he had not been informed of that intelligence information.

Democratic senators demanded that Nvidia documents be preserved, and Huang announced his agreement to testify before Congress in a secret session regarding threats to US national security. Reports indicated that Alice Huang is currently residing in Beijing, while Taiwan revoked her entry permit. Singapore-based Megaspeed, which is linked to Alice Huang, is alleged to have illegally directed Nvidia chips to China.

President Trump announced that Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, is the person qualified to succeed Huang, affirming that "Huang accomplished amazing things," and adding that after his resignation there is only one person who can take his place, namely Tim Cook of Apple, explaining that this represents "a legend succeeding a legend." In turn, Elon Musk said in response to a call to hire Huang: "It would be an honor."