Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) called for Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang to resign over his reported relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, warning that potential extortion could threaten national security.
Cramer Warns Of National Security Risks
“The potential for extortion is so tremendous that something as sensitive as Nvidia chips, I just think he’s got to go,” Cramer told Politico on Tuesday.
Cramer, a Senate Banking Committee member, argued that Huang’s admitted infidelity raised security concerns regardless of whether the woman was working for Chinese intelligence. “If the worst thing he did in real life is infidelity with this woman who may or may not be a Chinese spy — but she might be — that’s enough,” Cramer said.
He called Nvidia’s independent investigation “fine, but not nearly enough.”
The remarks followed an October 29 New York Times investigation linking Huang to Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed whom U.S. authorities reportedly identified as a Chinese intelligence asset. The allegations have prompted congressional scrutiny.
Trump Confirms FBI Inquiry, Defends Huang
President Donald Trump on Monday said that the FBI was examining the matter. “I know the FBI is looking into it,” he told reporters, adding that Huang denied knowing the woman was a spy.
Trump defended Huang, saying, “I really believe him.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected the allegations as “groundless” and “a smear” in a statement shared with Reuters on November 9.
Nvidia Appoints Outside Counsel For Investigation
Nvidia on Sunday, meanwhile, revealed that independent directors would investigate potential foreign intelligence targeting. The board said it had “no reason to believe” company secrets or national security were compromised.
On Tuesday, the chip giant appointed former acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation.
Huang has separately acknowledged infidelity in an employee message on Sunday, saying, “I take full responsibility for what I did.”
Nvidia’s board reaffirmed confidence in Huang despite mounting investor concerns.
Price Action: NVDA shares were trading 0.94% higher at $170.48 in after-hours trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
