Trump says Jensen Huang was going through hell when they spoke Wednesday before his resignation
Trump describes Huang’s distress
In a White House interview with Stephen A. Smith, Trump said Huang had called him and discussed the scandal’s effects on his family. Trump said Huang was especially troubled by its impact on his wife and family.
The conversation Trump described took place Wednesday, one day before Huang left his position. In the same interview, Trump praised Huang and his work at Nvidia.
Resignation followed reports
Huang resigned Thursday. In a Sunday memo to staff, he acknowledged being unfaithful, while Nvidia’s board said it was investigating whether a foreign intelligence operation had targeted him.
A New York Times report published Wednesday described a second affair, involving Nvidia executive Kimberly Powell, who reported to Huang. After the resignation, Reuters reported an alleged third affair with an unnamed Nvidia employee.
Questions over leadership
Asked whether Huang should have stepped down, Trump said the answer depended on whether a woman involved in an affair was a Chinese spy, as US officials suspected, according to the Times. He said the situation might have been different if she was not a spy.
Trump also said former Apple CEO Tim Cook should take over from Huang. Nvidia named CFO Colette Kress interim CEO as its board looks for a permanent replacement. The account of Trump’s conversations with Huang varies: Trump described speaking with him Monday and Wednesday, while the Times reported a Tuesday call during which Trump encouraged Huang to fight to keep his job.
Key points
- Trump said he spoke with Huang Wednesday, a day before the Nvidia CEO resigned.
- Huang’s departure came amid reports of multiple affairs and a board investigation into possible foreign intelligence targeting.
- Colette Kress became interim CEO while Nvidia’s board seeks a replacement.
- Accounts differ on whether Trump also spoke with Huang Monday or Tuesday.