Trump says FBI investigating Nvidia chief's relationship with alleged Chinese spy

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the FBI is investigating the relationship between Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and a woman suspected by US intelligence officials of having links to Chinese espionage.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had spoken directly with Huang on Monday to discuss the allegations, which have raised concerns about potential national security implications and the growing technological rivalry between the United States and China.

Trump said he had asked Huang whether he knew the woman, identified as Alice Huang, was allegedly a spy.

According to the president, Jensen Huang told him that he had no knowledge of her alleged intelligence connections. Trump added that he believed the Nvidia chief and described him as an "honourable guy".

When questioned again during a White House briefing, Trump confirmed that the FBI was looking into the matter but did not provide further details about the investigation or when it began.

The FBI has declined to comment.

Espionage allegations raise questions over Nvidia's security

The allegations centre on Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, who is not related to Jensen Huang.

US intelligence officials reportedly believe she was working on behalf of Beijing. According to reporting by The New York Times, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a memorandum to senior government officials in spring 2026 warning about Jensen Huang's close relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence asset.

Alice Huang was reportedly managing director of Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company which has had business dealings with Nvidia.

The allegations have attracted particular attention because Nvidia is one of the world's most important technology companies and a central player in the global artificial intelligence industry.

Its advanced semiconductor chips are essential to the development of AI systems, making the company strategically important to the United States and its competition with China.

Nvidia has said it has no reason to believe that its corporate secrets or national security have been compromised. The company has also commissioned an independent investigation into the matter.

China rejects allegations

Beijing has strongly rejected the claims that Jensen Huang was targeted as part of a Chinese espionage operation.

China's Foreign Ministry described the allegations as entirely groundless and speculative, accusing those making them of attempting to smear and malign the country.

The dispute comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Beijing over access to advanced semiconductor technology and the future of artificial intelligence.

The United States has previously introduced restrictions on the export of Nvidia's most advanced chips to China, citing concerns about their potential military and surveillance applications.

Jensen Huang has historically argued against excessive restrictions on semiconductor exports to China, maintaining that US technology should remain competitive in international markets.

Nvidia shares fall as investors react

The reports have also had a significant financial impact.

Nvidia's share price fell by more than 4% on Monday, wiping approximately $250bn (£190bn) from the company's market value.

The company, which is currently the world's second most valuable after Apple, has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global expansion of artificial intelligence.

Founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang and two fellow engineers, Nvidia initially concentrated on graphics processors for the computer gaming industry before expanding into the development of advanced computing technology and AI chips.

Its rapid growth has made it a major strategic asset in the technology competition between the United States and China.

Shareholder lawsuit adds to pressure

The controversy has also led to legal action.

Jensen Huang and Nvidia have been named in a proposed class action lawsuit filed in California, accusing them of misleading shareholders by allegedly concealing information about his relationship with Alice Huang.

The lawsuit claims that the company misrepresented the relationship to the media and raises concerns about whether the suspected Chinese intelligence connection could have involved attempts to facilitate the transfer of Nvidia products to China.

These are allegations contained in the lawsuit and have not been established in court.

Nvidia has been contacted for comment.

Congress seeks answers from Nvidia chief

The controversy is also attracting attention from lawmakers in Washington.

Jensen Huang has been asked to attend a joint closed-door briefing involving several Congressional committees next week.

The proposed briefing is expected to focus on Nvidia's security procedures against foreign espionage, as well as Huang's reported interactions with Alice Huang.

It remains unclear whether he will attend.

Huang has said he is committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting US national security, and has indicated that he will cooperate with the company's independent investigation.

He has also publicly acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife, apologising for the hurt caused to her and their children.

A wider national security challenge

The investigation highlights the increasingly complicated relationship between international business, artificial intelligence and national security.

Nvidia sits at the centre of the global AI industry, with its technology playing an important role in the economic and strategic competition between Washington and Beijing.

Consequently, any suggestion that the company or its leadership may have been exposed to foreign intelligence activity is likely to attract considerable attention from investors, regulators and national security officials.

For now, the FBI investigation remains ongoing, the allegations have not been proven, and Nvidia maintains that it has no reason to believe its technology or sensitive information has been compromised.

The coming weeks could prove significant for Jensen Huang, Nvidia's shareholders and the wider US technology industry as further details emerge.