Elon Musk says some of Nvidia’s 'critical' deals could be lost without Jensen Huang

Elon Musk has warned that Nvidia could lose some of its important supply chain agreements following Jensen Huang’s departure as CEO, arguing that several of the chipmaker’s business arrangements depended heavily on personal relationships.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief said Huang had built partnerships based on trust and direct understanding, raising questions about whether those agreements will remain in place under new leadership. “Jensen drove supply chain brilliantly at Nvidia, but many of those deals were a handshake with Jensen, not a written contract,” Musk wrote.

He added, “Without Jensen, at least some of those critical deals will be lost.” His remarks have brought attention to a possible challenge for Nvidia as it prepares for a leadership transition. The company is one of the world's biggest suppliers of processors used in artificial intelligence systems, making its relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and other business partners important to its operations.

Musk’s latest comments follow his public support for an effort to bring Huang back to the top position at Nvidia. On Friday, the billionaire said he would sign a petition seeking the co-founder’s reinstatement. “A petition is underway to reinstate Jensen and I’m signing it too,” Musk wrote on X.

He had also indicated that he would welcome the opportunity to work with Huang. The response came after a social media user suggested that Musk should hire the former Nvidia chief. Musk replied, “That would be an honor.” Huang's departure followed reports about his alleged extramarital relationships.

The New York Times reported an alleged relationship between Huang and Nvidia Vice President of Healthcare Kimberly Powell, citing five people who had worked at the company. The Wall Street Journal separately reported on his alleged relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman suspected by some US intelligence officials of having links to Chinese intelligence services.

The reports also brought attention to questions surrounding Huang’s personal conduct and his position at the company he helped establish. Nvidia has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it looks for a permanent replacement.

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and remained at its helm for more than three decades. During that period, the company grew from a graphics chipmaker into a major supplier of processors powering the global AI industry. Sehjal Gupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times and is part of the US Desk.

She covers a wide range of stories from the United States, including politics, sports, entertainment, breaking news, and major global developments. She enjoys working across different beats because every story brings a fresh perspective and an opportunity to explore something different.

Before joining Hindustan Times, Sehjal was part of The Times of India, where she headed the International Sports and US Streamers team. She reported on international sports, athlete stories, streamer news, and major developments from around the world.

The role gave her the opportunity to work on a diverse range of stories while leading coverage across two evolving news categories. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and believes the experience taught her the importance of staying organised, managing priorities, and adapting to new challenges.

Over the years, she has reported on a variety of topics and enjoys taking on stories that keep her curious and encourage her to look beyond the obvious. Expertise: International news, International/US sports, and streamer coverage.

Interests: Global affairs, geopolitics, politics, and entertainment. Outside work, Sehjal loves travelling, watching movies, and exploring new places to eat. She enjoys discovering new cultures and believes that some of the best stories and experiences come from stepping outside her comfort zone and exploring unfamiliar places.Read More