Jensen Huang’s affair with an alleged Chinese spy has plunged Nvidia into its biggest crisis in three decades, sparking concern over the economic and national security ramifications.
After Huang resigned as Nvidia’s chief executive, here’s a timeline of how the controversy at one of the world’s most influential tech companies unfolded:
October 2025: Questions raised over Alice Huang and Megaspeed
Jensen Huang’s association with Alice Huang had begun to draw scrutiny in October last year, according to a New York Times report. The Commerce Department had been investigating whether Megaspeed, the Singapore-based company Alice Huang worked for, was routing Nvidia’s cutting-edge chips to Chinese firms in breach of US export restrictions.
Around this time, though it is not clear when, intelligence officials briefed US President Donald Trump that Alice Huang had been gathering information for Beijing, the Times also reported. Before this, Trump and Jensen Huang had become close allies as the White House sought to accelerate US AI development.
December 2025: Trump says Nvidia can sell advanced AI chips to China
Trump, himself an Nvidia investor, announced that the company would be allowed to sell its advanced H200 computer chips to China, with the United States taking a cut of sales, in a significant win for Jensen Huang.
It marked a shift from the stance of the Biden administration, which introduced export controls to keep the chips out of the reach of China’s military.
May 2026: Rubio briefs Trump on affair
While Trump was on his way to China for a visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, warned him that the US had obtained intelligence that showed Jensen Huang was having an affair with a woman believed to be a Chinese spy, a person familiar with the briefing, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, told the Washington Post.
Rubio briefed Trump aboard Air Force One just before a stop in Anchorage, where Jensen Huang boarded the plane as a last-minute addition to the trip.
October 29, 2026: Jensen Huang targeted in spy plot, New York Times reports
On October 29, the Times reported Alice Huang was suspected by US intelligence services of being a Chinese spy and had developed a close relationship with the Nvidia chief executive. Trump was briefed about the intelligence findings about a year ago and took no action, the report said.
November 8, 2026: Jensen Huang admits affair; Nvidia launches investigation
Jensen Huang sent a letter to Nvidia employees admitting he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologising for the affair. “There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry,” the letter said.
Nvidia announced it was launching an investigation into Jensen Huang. Company spokesperson John Rizzo said that “Jensen is committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO without interruption”.
November 9, 2026: Trump denies knowledge, defends Jensen Huang
Trump denied to reporters that he had been aware of the situation when he invited Jensen Huang to accompany him on the trip to China. He also said he had spoken to Jensen Huang, who told him he did not know Alice Huang was an alleged Chinese spy. “I really believe him,” Trump added.
Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the spying allegations as “purely unsubstantiated and directed at smearing China”.
November 11, 2026: Nvidia’s board weighs future
The Times reported that Jensen Huang also had an intimate relationship with a Nvidia executive who reported to him. Nvidia and Jensen Huang have not confirmed the report.
Nvidia’s board met to assess Jensen Huang’s future as the company’s chief executive. Meanwhile, Megaspeed said it welcomed US government scrutiny and would co-operate with authorities.
November 12, 2026: Nvidia names Colette Kress as interim CEO
Jensen Huang resigned from his position as chief executive. Nvidia then announced Colette Kress, its chief financial officer, as interim chief executive.
Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.