Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Asked to Testify Over Suspected China Spy Links

Former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has been asked to testify before a US Senate committee next month over national security concerns linked to his alleged relationship with a woman suspected of spying for China.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott sent letters on Thursday requesting that Huang and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appear before the committee.

Huang has been asked to testify voluntarily on December 3, while Lutnick is expected to appear on December 10. Scott warned that the committee could issue a subpoena to compel Huang’s appearance if he refuses.

“Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive US technology,” Scott said in a post on X, adding that the American people deserve answers.

The Senate inquiry comes as Nvidia faces growing scrutiny over its business dealings with China and the handling of sensitive artificial intelligence chips.

House committees also seek answers

Three committees in the US House of Representatives, covering intelligence, foreign affairs and China, have separately requested a closed-door interview with Huang on December 1.

Lawmakers are seeking information about his relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based company Megaspeed, who has been suspected by US intelligence officials of being linked to Chinese intelligence.

China has rejected the allegations, while US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department had not reached a conclusion on whether Alice Huang was involved in espionage.

Huang admitted on Sunday that he had been unfaithful to his wife. Reports later emerged of another alleged relationship with Nvidia executive Kimberly Powell, who reportedly worked under him.

Lutnick faces questions over chip exports

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is also facing scrutiny over the administration’s handling of export restrictions on advanced Nvidia chips to China.

Reports have suggested that officials in President Donald Trump’s administration raised concerns that Lutnick delayed efforts to tighten restrictions.

A spokesperson for Lutnick said he had proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the Senate Banking Committee.

Huang’s resignation and Nvidia’s financial losses

Huang resigned as Nvidia’s chief executive, president and board member on Thursday, ending his 33-year leadership of the company.

Nvidia’s Chief Financial Officer, Colette Kress, has been appointed interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement.

The company has also launched an independent investigation into the allegations, saying it has no reason to believe that its trade secrets or US national security have been compromised.

Nvidia’s shares have suffered a major decline amid the controversy, with reports estimating that hundreds of billions of dollars have been wiped from its market value in recent trading sessions.

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led its transformation from a computer gaming graphics chip maker into one of the world’s most influential suppliers of artificial intelligence technology.

The congressional inquiries are expected to examine the national security implications of the allegations and the oversight of advanced chip exports to China.