Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on Tuesday said he feels "strongly" that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang should step down following reports of his alleged intimate relationships with an accused Chinese spy and a company executive who reported to him. The Republican lawmaker argued that Huang's position is untenable from a national security standpoint.
"I can't believe we are even considering him not resigning. I mean, I do feel that strongly about it," Cramer told CNBC's Megan Cassella. In a separate message, the North Dakota senator described Huang as a "guy that's right now so vulnerable to extortion, to blackmail."
Cramer's remarks center on Alice Huang, an executive at chip distributor Megaspeed who has been accused of illegally smuggling advanced AI chips to Beijing. Reports say she developed a "close relationship" with Jensen Huang, who is not related to her. The senator warned, "What bothers me at the end of it is what we don't know is what she knows about him that can be utilized."
The controversy deepened after a New York Times report alleged that Jensen Huang—a close ally of President Trump—also had an affair with an Nvidia executive who reported directly to him. Huang has previously acknowledged an affair with a Chinese businessperson and apologized to his wife and family, but the fresh allegations have intensified calls for his removal.
"I just don't think, as a national security matter, we can run the risk," Cramer concluded.
The situation has exposed divisions among congressional Republicans. While some, like Cramer, are demanding accountability, others are pressing for greater oversight. House Republicans who lead key intelligence and oversight committees have summoned Huang to a joint, closed-door briefing on Nov. 18 to address Nvidia's "security protocols against foreign adversary espionage and your interactions with ... Alice Huang." The request echoes tensions within the GOP conference as it grapples with fallout from the scandal.
President Trump has so far stood by Huang, calling him an "honorable guy" in the wake of the first affair. "I just know he's a fine person, but you never know what is going on," Trump said. "I'm sure, I hope everything's fine. He's done such an incredible job and so I would certainly hope he's a fine person, in my opinion."
Nvidia has already launched an internal investigation into its CEO. The Wall Street Journal reported that the company's board could convene as soon as Wednesday to discuss Huang's future and potential ouster. Huang has led Nvidia since founding it in 1993.
The allegations have also spurred a bipartisan push for a broader probe, though Trump's defense has split lawmakers along party lines. Some Democrats, including Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), have pressed for answers on Huang's ties to the alleged spy, while others have accused the president of dereliction of duty for not acting more forcefully.
Nvidia's stock has fluctuated amid the turmoil, with shares recovering slightly as investors weigh the potential leadership vacuum. The scandal also threatens to complicate efforts to tighten AI chip export controls, a policy area where Huang has been a key industry voice.
The Hill has reached out to Nvidia for comment.
