Trump Backs Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as 'an Honorable Guy' Amid Spy Probe

President Donald Trump defended Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang on Sunday, calling the head of the world's most valuable company "an honorable guy" and saying he would "certainly" take him on his trip to Asia next week — even as Nvidia's board investigates reports that Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation.

Speaking to reporters before returning to Washington, Trump said he had not spoken to Huang about the allegations and had not heard that Huang had done "anything wrong." It was Trump's second public show of support in just over a week, hours after the company confirmed the review.

Key Points

• Trump called Huang "an honorable guy" and "a fine person," and said he would "certainly" take him on the Asia trip, for the ASEAN summit in Manila and the APEC meeting in Shenzhen, China.
• Asked whether Huang should stay on as chief executive, Trump said: "I think so. Oh, yes," adding that Huang had done "an amazing job for our country."
• Trump said he had not spoken to Huang about the allegations and had not heard that Huang had done "anything wrong."
• Nvidia's board announced on Sunday that a committee of independent directors, with outside counsel, will investigate reports that Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation.
• Huang told employees in a memo that he "was unfaithful to my wife" over his relationship with Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive US intelligence assessed as a Chinese intelligence asset.

What Happened

Trump made the remarks on Sunday, November 8, 2026, as he spoke to reporters before flying back to Washington. Asked about the Nvidia board's investigation, the president praised Huang in warm terms and brushed aside the idea that the chief executive should step down.

"I think so. Oh, yes," Trump said when asked whether Huang should remain as chief executive, adding that Huang had done "an amazing job for our country." He described Huang as "an honorable guy" and "a fine person."

Asked whether he would take Huang on his trip to Asia next week, Trump replied: "I don't know, but I'd certainly take him." The trip includes the ASEAN summit in Manila and the APEC leaders' meeting in Shenzhen, China.

It was the second time in just over a week that Trump has publicly backed Huang: on October 31 he called him a "great, brilliant person," and in October he handed Huang the National Medal of Science.

Background: The Spy Allegations and Nvidia's Investigation

The controversy began with reports that US intelligence had assessed Alice Huang — also known as Huang Le, an executive at the company Megaspeed — as a Chinese intelligence asset, and that Nvidia's chief executive had a romantic relationship with her. A US intelligence memo prepared earlier in 2026 described the relationship, according to the Financial Times.

Huang admitted the affair in a memo to Nvidia employees, writing: "I was unfaithful to my wife." The admission raised questions about whether the head of the world's most valuable company had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

On Sunday, Nvidia's board said a committee of independent directors, with outside counsel, would investigate the reports. The board said it has "no reason to believe" that national security or company secrets were compromised, and Huang, 63, remains chief executive while the review is under way.

Separately, Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, wrote to Huang on Thursday, November 5, seeking a briefing; Huang is expected to respond by November 11 and appear behind closed doors on November 18.

Trump Defends Jensen Huang as Nvidia Board Investigates

Trump's defence puts the president squarely behind one of the most powerful executives in American business at the very moment the board's review begins. The board announced its investigation on Sunday, and the president's remarks followed within hours.

The president has long treated Huang as a favoured figure in the technology world, praising his leadership as Nvidia's chips became the engine of the artificial intelligence boom. His backing may reassure investors, but the board review and the congressional briefing mean the questions will linger.

Reactions and Quotes

Trump's words on Sunday were unambiguous. "An honorable guy," he said of Huang, calling him "a fine person" and adding that he had done "an amazing job for our country." Asked whether Huang should stay on, he replied: "I think so. Oh, yes."

Nvidia's board, in announcing the review, said it has "no reason to believe" that national security or company secrets were compromised. Huang himself wrote in his memo to employees: "I was unfaithful to my wife." Moolenaar seeks a briefing, with a response due by November 11 and a closed-door session set for November 18.

Why It Matters

Nvidia is the world's most valuable company, and its chips sit at the centre of the artificial intelligence race and of the technology rivalry between the United States and China. Any suggestion that its chief executive was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation raises national security questions that go beyond one company.

Trump's backing also carries weight in Washington and on Wall Street. The president's support may steady investors, but it also ties the White House to the outcome of the board's review and to whatever the closed-door congressional briefing uncovers. The APEC meeting is in Shenzhen, China, putting the story at the heart of US-China diplomacy this week.

What Happens Next

Huang is expected to answer Moolenaar by November 11 and appear for a closed-door briefing on November 18. The board's review continues, with no timeline given.

Trump travels to Asia next week for the ASEAN summit in Manila and the APEC leaders' meeting in Shenzhen. Whether Huang joins him remains open — the president said he did not know, but that he would "certainly" take him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly did Trump say about Jensen Huang?

Trump called Huang "an honorable guy" and "a fine person," said he had done "an amazing job for our country," and said he would "certainly" take him on his Asia trip.

What is Nvidia's board investigating?

A committee of independent directors, with outside counsel, is investigating reports that Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation. The board said it has "no reason to believe" national security or company secrets were compromised.

Who is Alice Huang?

Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, is an executive at Megaspeed whom US intelligence assessed as a Chinese intelligence asset. Huang admitted in a memo to employees that he had a relationship with her.

Will Jensen Huang remain Nvidia's chief executive?

Trump says he should, and Nvidia's board says Huang stays on as chief executive while the review is under way. He is also due to brief the House Select Committee on China behind closed doors on November 18.

What happens next?

Huang is expected to respond to the House committee by November 11 and appear for the closed-door briefing on November 18. The board's investigation continues, and Trump heads to Asia next week.

Related coverage: Nvidia board launches probe of CEO Jensen Huang; US memo says Nvidia CEO had romantic ties to alleged China spy; Nvidia CEO asked to brief Congress on Nov 18.