Trump Backs Nvidia Chief Jensen Huang As China Intelligence Allegations Trigger Probe

US President Donald Trump has come out in defence of Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang amid allegations involving his relationship with a woman suspected of working for Chinese intelligence. Democratic lawmakers have called for a halt to advanced AI chip exports to China and demanded answers from the Trump administration, while Republican lawmakers have sought a closed-door briefing with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang over potential national security risks.

The controversy has triggered an independent investigation by Nvidia's board, a shareholder lawsuit and fresh allegations involving billions of dollars worth of advanced chip shipments to China, putting the leadership and business dealings of the world's leading AI chipmaker under scrutiny.

Trump, who has maintained close ties with Huang, said he had personally spoken to the Nvidia chief about his reported relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, whom US intelligence agencies reportedly suspect of being a Chinese intelligence asset.

"He said, 'I had no idea that she was a spy', and I really believe him," Trump told reporters, according to Fox News. The US President described Huang as a "very high-quality person" and praised his contribution to the American technology industry.

"You know, when you think about it, he's got a chip that's 10 years advanced, because of the complexity, can't even—the Blackwell—can't even be copied. He's an amazing guy," Trump said. Trump also acknowledged that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was examining the matter but expressed confidence that Huang would emerge from the controversy without serious consequences.

The President also faced questions about an earlier memorandum prepared under Secretary of State Marco Rubio that reportedly warned senior administration officials about Huang's relationship with the Chinese businesswoman.

According to The New York Times, Rubio had overseen the preparation of a classified memorandum warning that Alice Huang was suspected of having links to China's Ministry of State Security. Asked whether he had read the memorandum, Trump said, "I would certainly check with the intelligence people.

It could have been mentioned. Certainly, it didn't make much of an impact on me." While Trump has defended the Nvidia chief, Democratic lawmakers have questioned the administration's handling of national security concerns and its decision to permit exports of advanced artificial intelligence chips.

According to The New York Times, Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Gabe Amo, Gregory Meeks and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, have demanded answers from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the administration's export policies.

"You cannot claim to be protecting American leadership in artificial intelligence while allowing our most advanced technology to reach a strategic competitor," the lawmakers wrote. "National security must come before corporate sales targets," they added.

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the possible transfer of advanced American semiconductor technology to Chinese companies, including entities linked to the country's military and artificial intelligence programmes.

Republican lawmakers have separately sought answers from Huang. According to Axios, three Republican House committee chairs requested a closed-door meeting with the Nvidia chief to examine his reported association with Alice Huang and whether restricted AI chips were being routed to China through third countries.

The political scrutiny comes as fresh allegations have emerged about the scale of Nvidia chip shipments allegedly facilitated by a network associated with Alice Huang.