Donald Trump defended Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang after the billionaire admitted having an affair with a senior executive who US intelligence assessed was delivering information to Beijing.
Trump said he had not discussed the matter with Huang, but described him as “a fine person” and praised his leadership of the chipmaker.
“I have not spoken to him about it. I just know he’s a fine person but you never know what’s going on. I hope everything’s fine, he’s done such an incredible job… He’s a fine person in my opinion,” the president told reporters on Sunday.
Huang acknowledged the affair in a memo to Nvidia staff, writing: “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did.”
The relationship was with Alice Huang, a senior executive at a Singapore-based company that was buying Nvidia’s advanced artificial intelligence chips. The affair prompted security concerns after US intelligence assessed that she had been passing information to the Beijing government.
Despite those concerns, Trump said he had no regrets about maintaining his relationship with the Nvidia chief and indicated that Huang could accompany him on a planned visit to China later this month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
“I’d certainly take him. I haven’t heard that he’s done anything wrong,” Trump said.
The pair have developed a close relationship as the White House has pursued advances in computer-chip production and artificial intelligence. Huang has met and travelled with Trump on several occasions, while the president is also said to communicate with him directly by telephone.
Nvidia’s board said it had “no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised” as a result of the affair, but added that it would examine all available information. Huang said in his memo that the board had launched an independent investigation and that he would co-operate fully.
Huang wrote that he took full responsibility for his actions and asked for privacy for his family. He has been married to his wife, Lori, for 41 years, and they have two adult children.
“To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust,” he wrote.
Huang has continued to appear alongside the president, including at a White House state dinner on September 24, a technology leaders’ luncheon on September 29 and a ceremony on October 8 at which Trump awarded him the National Medal of Science.
