US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly warned President Donald Trump about allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a woman whom American intelligence agencies consider a Chinese spy, raising serious questions about national security and the administration’s handling of sensitive information during its May trip to China.
According to CNN, which cited a source familiar with the matter, the issue was discussed aboard Air Force One while Trump was traveling to Beijing. The conversation took place before Huang joined the president and senior US officials for the final part of their journey, following a stop in Alaska.
Despite the reported warning, Trump insisted on Monday that he had not known about the allegations at the time. He said he had only recently learned of the situation and confirmed that the FBI was investigating the matter.
The president also appeared to play down concerns surrounding Huang’s alleged relationship with Alice Huang, an executive at a Singapore-based technology company whom US intelligence agencies have concluded is a Chinese spy. The two individuals are not related.
“I really believe him,” Trump said, defending Huang amid growing questions about the relationship and its potential implications.
According to CNN, the FBI had raised concerns about Alice Huang approximately a year earlier. Investigators reportedly warned lawmakers that Jensen Huang could be a target of a foreign intelligence operation because of his close relationship with her.
Agents had also noticed that Alice Huang had suddenly acquired an unusually high level of purchasing power for someone in her professional position, adding to suspicions surrounding her activities.
The concerns were serious enough to prompt the preparation of a classified memorandum in May, overseen by Rubio. The document specifically addressed Huang’s connection to the woman whom US authorities consider a Chinese intelligence operative.
The memorandum was distributed to a limited group of senior American officials before Trump’s visit to China, highlighting the sensitivity of the intelligence surrounding the Nvidia executive.
CNN’s source said Trump was informed about the concerns during the trip but did not take any visible steps to distance himself from Huang. Instead, the president insisted that the technology executive remain part of the American delegation.
The controversy extends beyond the alleged personal relationship, particularly because of Nvidia’s central position in the global artificial intelligence industry. US officials are concerned about the possibility that Beijing could have obtained sensitive information connected to America’s advanced semiconductor technology and AI sector.
The issue was discussed on Monday during a meeting between senior Trump administration officials and the so-called “Group of Eight”. This bipartisan group consists of lawmakers responsible for overseeing the country’s intelligence agencies.
Democrats have already indicated that they intend to launch multiple investigations if they regain control of Congress in January. Their focus will include the administration’s knowledge of the situation and whether decisions involving exports of advanced American chips to China may have been influenced or compromised.
Jim Himes, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, emphasized the importance of the issue, particularly given the strategic value of advanced semiconductor technology.
“The export of advanced semiconductors to China or to countries where it may have access to them is a matter of extraordinary national security importance,” Himes said.
Republican lawmakers are also seeking answers. Three Republican members of Congress have asked Huang to participate in a confidential briefing later this month.
Huang’s position makes the situation particularly significant. As Nvidia’s co-founder and longtime chief executive, he has transformed the company into one of the world’s most valuable businesses and become one of the most influential figures in the artificial intelligence industry.
His influence has also extended into discussions over US technology policy. Huang has repeatedly urged the Trump administration to ease restrictions on the sale of advanced American semiconductor chips to China, arguing for greater access to the Chinese market.
Those efforts are now receiving additional scrutiny as lawmakers consider whether the allegations surrounding his relationship could have implications for decisions involving sensitive technology exports.
Nvidia has announced that it will conduct its own investigation into the CEO’s conduct. However, it remains unclear whether the company’s board will consider whether Huang should be removed from his position.
Such a move would carry enormous consequences for Nvidia. Huang is widely regarded as a central figure in the company’s success, particularly as its processors remain among the most important technologies powering the worldwide artificial intelligence boom.
