New reporting from The New York Times indicates that President Donald Trump was informed about a relationship between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence asset months before the President’s state visit to China. According to the report, Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio briefed the President on the matter aboard Air Force One in May 2026. This account contrasts with statements made by President Trump on Monday, November 9, 2026, in which he said he was unaware of the allegations at the time of the trip.
The controversy involves Huang’s romantic relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at the Singapore-based company Megaspeed. On Sunday, November 8, 2026, the Nvidia chief executive issued a statement acknowledging he had been "unfaithful" to his wife and apologized for his actions. He also announced that Nvidia, a California-headquartered company valued at approximately $4.2 trillion, is conducting an independent investigation into the matter.
Internal administration tensions have also emerged regarding the handling of Megaspeed, an Nvidia customer accused of unlawfully sending American chips to China. Axios reported that during a Situation Room meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent questioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on why Megaspeed had not been placed on the Entity List. The Entity List is a Commerce Department record that restricts transactions with organizations deemed national security concerns. Lutnick, who reportedly received a classified memo about the spy allegations, stated he would look into the matter.
Federal policy regarding technology exports is also at the center of this development. The Department of Commerce is responsible for managing the Entity List, which determines which foreign companies can legally purchase sensitive American technology. If companies like Megaspeed are added to this list, it would legally prevent them from receiving U.S.-made chips, potentially affecting the revenue of American chipmakers and the supply chains of international tech firms. The reports of internal disagreements between Treasury Secretary Bessent and Commerce Secretary Lutnick suggest a lack of consensus within the administration on how to regulate these entities.
The outcome of the independent investigation at Nvidia and the administration's review of Megaspeed will determine the next steps for these organizations. While the President has defended Huang, calling him "honorable," the Commerce Department is currently reviewing the company's status. Chinese officials have characterized the allegations as "groundless" and intended to malign the country. No specific deadline has been reported for the conclusion of Nvidia's internal investigation or for a decision on Megaspeed’s inclusion on the Entity List.