"I'll Go to China with Jensen Huang": Trump Defends Him Despite Spy Allegations and Affair Controversy

Affair scandal rocks head of the world's AI chip industry
Jensen Huang's private-life scandal becomes a technology security issue

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly defended Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who admitted to having an affair with a woman suspected of being linked to Chinese intelligence agencies. As Huang's apology email to employees was also made public, Nvidia's board launched an independent investigation, while members of the U.S. Congress called for an inquiry, saying they would examine the impact on national security.

Yonhap News, citing Reuters and the Associated Press, reported on Nov. 9 that Trump met with reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, before returning to Washington, D.C., and described Huang as "a great person" who "has done incredible things for our country."

AP Yonhap News

Regarding the controversy, Trump said, "I haven't spoken to him about that issue," adding, "I don't know what's going on, but I hope everything works out well." He continued, "I think he's an honorable person," and added, "I'm sure he has an explanation, too. We should hear directly from him." Asked whether Huang might accompany him on his upcoming trip to Asia, Trump replied, "I don't know, but I'd be happy to take him," adding, "I haven't heard that he did anything wrong." He also expressed support for Huang continuing to lead Nvidia. Trump's remarks came as controversy over Huang's private life was growing into a U.S. national security issue.

Earlier, on Nov. 9, Huang admitted to having an affair in an email to Nvidia employees and apologized to his family and company colleagues. He said, "I owe an apology to my family and all of you. I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt my wife and children. There is no excuse for what I did. I deeply regret it." He went on to say, "My family has given me love and support throughout my life, but I let them down and hurt the life we had built together," accepting full responsibility for his actions. Addressing his wife and family, he said, "I know that apologizing cannot undo what I have already done," adding, "I hope that, with time, my family can heal from this hurt and trust me again."

Earlier today, CEO Huang admitted to having an affair in an email to Nvidia employees and apologized to his family and colleagues. "I owe an apology to my family and all of you," he wrote. "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt my wife and children. There is no excuse for what I did. I deeply regret it." AP-Yonhap News

Huang also apologized to Nvidia employees, the board, business partners and shareholders around the world. He said, "Leading Nvidia is the privilege of my life," adding, "I should have been someone worthy of your trust, but I fell short of that responsibility. I will work to regain your trust." Regarding allegations involving Chinese intelligence agencies, he said, "The board has launched an independent investigation," adding, "I fully support the investigation and will cooperate completely."

In an official statement on Nov. 9, Nvidia's board announced that it would launch an independent investigation into reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence agency. The investigation will be conducted by a committee of independent directors, with support from outside legal experts. The board said, "At this time, we have no reason to believe that U.S. national security or Nvidia's confidential information has been compromised," while adding, "We will review all relevant information." It also emphasized that it continues to have confidence in Huang and the current management team. Nvidia said Huang would continue to serve as CEO during the investigation.

The controversy surrounding Jensen Huang's affair has also reached the U.S. Congress. Republican leaders on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on China and the Intelligence Committee asked Huang to attend a closed-door joint briefing on Nov. 18. The lawmakers said the allegations raised a serious national security concern related to China's potential access to U.S. advanced technologies and sensitive information, and requested an explanation of Huang's relationship with Alice Huang and Nvidia's systems for protecting trade secrets. They have asked Huang's representatives to confirm by Nov. 11 whether he will attend the briefing or propose an alternative date.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.