The White House will not intervene in Nvidia’s board decision on the future of Chief Executive Jensen Huang, as the chipmaker’s directors prepare to meet to discuss his position following reports of alleged extramarital affairs, according to The Washington Post.
Two people familiar with the matter said Nvidia’s board was expected to discuss Huang’s future at a meeting late Wednesday. The White House has no plans to influence the board’s decision, according to people familiar with the situation.
The board’s deliberations come after reports that Huang had been involved in multiple extramarital relationships, including one with an executive at a Singapore-based company who has been accused of having ties to Chinese intelligence. A separate report alleged that Huang had a relationship with an Nvidia executive who reported directly to him.
Nvidia’s shares fell 8% in after-hours trading Wednesday following reports of the board meeting and the allegations involving Huang.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that Nvidia’s board planned to meet to discuss Huang’s future, while The New York Times reported on the alleged relationship between Huang and an executive who worked under him.
Nvidia’s board said Sunday that it was investigating Huang’s conduct after he disclosed an extramarital relationship with an executive at a Singapore-based company. The woman has been accused of being a Chinese spy, an allegation that has also drawn attention from Beijing.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and has led the company as CEO ever since. He has also developed close ties with President Donald Trump since Trump's reelection last year.
The issue puts the White House in a delicate position as Trump has strongly supported the artificial intelligence industry, which he views as a key driver of U.S. economic growth. Nvidia has become a central player in the AI boom, supplying advanced chips and providing financing to companies expanding their data center infrastructure.
Despite Huang’s close relationship with Trump, the White House’s decision not to intervene leaves Nvidia’s board to determine the company leader’s future independently.