Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Faces FBI Inquiry Into Relationship With Alleged Chinese Agent

Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, is the subject of an FBI counterintelligence investigation following reports of a romantic relationship with an alleged Chinese government agent. The news broke on Monday, causing Nvidia stock to lose roughly 11 percent of its value since the previous Wednesday. The company has confirmed it is conducting an independent review to determine if Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.

The situation stems from a New York Times report alleging that Huang developed a close relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen. The report identified her as a former executive at Megaspeed International, a Singapore-based data center firm that touts its partnership with Nvidia. U.S. intelligence determined she was gathering information for Beijing. Megaspeed reportedly faced claims last year of illicitly shipping advanced Nvidia chips into China.

President Donald Trump addressed the matter at a White House briefing on Monday. He said he spoke with Huang that day to check on his well-being. The president described the executive as being in good shape despite the scrutiny. He added that Huang told him he had no idea the person in question was a spy. Trump’s direct involvement marks a notable step for a U.S. president in a counterintelligence probe.

Huang acknowledged the relationship in an open letter posted on Nvidia’s website. He apologized to his wife and the company without naming the woman involved. He stated his support for the investigation and his commitment to protecting Nvidia and U.S. national security. The letter emphasized his love for the country and the company while confirming his cooperation with the review process.

China’s government denied the allegations on Monday. Beijing called the spying claims unsubstantiated and a smear campaign against the country. State-owned media, including the Global Times, suggested the reports were an attempt to destabilize improving U.S.-China relations. Megaspeed and the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment, with many offices in Singapore closed for a holiday.

Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Congress needs more information. He noted that a classified briefing with CIA director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton briefly discussed Nvidia but focused primarily on Iran. Jeffries expressed concern that real issues need to be addressed.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week in Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. He did not specify whether he would raise the investigation with Xi. Nvidia remains one of the world’s most valuable public companies, with its chips central to the artificial intelligence boom. The ongoing inquiry raises questions about leadership succession and national security oversight.