Ousted Nvidia chief Jensen Huang called to testify before lawmakers
Lawmakers want answers on national security concerns after the former chief executive's abrupt exit. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also been asked to appear.
Key points
- Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is asked to testify before Senate and House committees
- Huang quit as chief executive after reports of alleged extramarital affairs
- One alleged relationship involved a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence asset, which China denies
- Nvidia has lost $550bn in market value over five days
- Colette Kress has been named interim chief executive
Former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has been summoned to testify before Congress, according to the BBC. The request follows his abrupt departure last week after reports of alleged extramarital affairs. Lawmakers from both chambers want answers on national security concerns.
Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, wrote to Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday. He asked Huang to attend voluntarily on 3 December before the Senate Banking Committee. Scott also made clear that a formal order to appear could follow if needed.
Read also: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns; CFO Colette Kress named interim
Three House committees have separately requested a closed-door interview with Huang on 1 December. TechCrunch reported that he has since accepted a request to testify by Thanksgiving. Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the session is expected to be video recorded and transcribed.
The affair allegations
On Sunday, Huang acknowledged he had strayed from his marriage. The reports centred on Alice Huang, who has no family link to him. She held an executive role at Megaspeed, a firm based in Singapore.
The New York Times reported that Alice Huang was thought by some to be an intelligence asset working for China. Beijing dismissed the claim as a smear. US Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Thursday that the Justice Department had reached no firm findings on whether she had carried out espionage for Beijing.
A second alleged relationship came to light on Wednesday. According to US media, it involved Kimberly Powell, a longtime Nvidia executive who reported straight to Huang.
Market and company impact
Nvidia’s market value has fallen by $550bn over just five days, according to the BBC. The company says it has no evidence that national security or its secrets were compromised. It has also opened an independent inquiry that will review all available information.
Earlier, Nvidia said it had opened an investigation into whether Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. According to the BBC, staff initially brushed off reports of the first affair, and grew more alarmed after the second allegation emerged. Many employees have made large sums from selling Nvidia shares as the stock rose.
Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed interim chief executive. Nvidia is looking for a permanent successor to Huang, who had served as its public face since 1993.
Why the story matters
Lutnick is also facing scrutiny. Anonymous officials in the Trump administration have told US media that he held back moves to limit shipments of cutting-edge AI processors to China. A Commerce Department spokesperson said he had voluntarily offered to appear before the Senate Banking Committee.
Nvidia’s chips power the AI sector, which depends on them for handling large volumes of data. The affair allegations have turned attention to how sensitive US technology is protected. Sessions have been requested for 1 December and 3 December.
Related: Nvidia board reportedly weighs removing CEO Jensen Huang
Frequently asked questions
Why has Jensen Huang been asked to testify?
Senator Tim Scott and several House committees want to question him. Their concerns center on national security after reports linked him to a woman who has been suspected of working for Chinese intelligence.
When will Jensen Huang testify?
Scott asked him to attend voluntarily on 3 December. A House closed-door interview was requested for 1 December. TechCrunch reported he has since accepted a request to testify by Thanksgiving.
Who is leading Nvidia now?
Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress was named interim chief executive on Thursday. Nvidia is searching for a permanent replacement.
Sources
- BBC News: Ousted Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang summoned to testify before Congress
- TechCrunch: Jensen Huang agrees to testify before Congress
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