The resignation of Jensen Huang from Nvidia comes after a scandal still unfolding, with its aftereffects rocking both the tech industry and geopolitics.
The discovery of his extramarital affairs — with businesswoman and alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang (no relation) and two Nvidia employees — have threatened to upend the business amid US-China tensions and a race for AI dominance. Nvidia’s board launched an independent investigation into reports Huang was targeted in a foreign intelligence operation.
Huang is an ally and adviser to US President Donald Trump on matters of artificial intelligence, which feeds into American aspirations for AI leadership.
As a private-sector leader, Huang wielded influence as to where Nvidia processors could go, and the fallout from this scandal brings up the debate over whether the US should allow advanced AI chips to be sold to China.
Below is a timeline of key points leading up to Jensen Huang’s fall:
JENSEN AND ALICE. A photo shows NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang with a woman confirmed by a Reuters source to be Alice Huang in Taipei, Taiwan released on June 7, 2024. Obtained by Reuters
June 7, 2024: The first known photo of Jensen Huang and Alice Huang of Singapore-based Megaspeed is seen. The two are seated together at Computex Taipei.
January 2025: US President Donald Trump meets Jensen Huang for the first time. This meeting is held at the White House.
EATING OUT. A screengrab from CTI video footage obtained November 9, 2026 shows a woman identified by Reuters as Alice Huang after comparison with a photograph obtained separately, attending a dinner with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (in black) at a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan May 22, 2025. CTI via REUTERS TV
May 22, 2025: Jensen Huang and Alice Huang are seen leaving a restaurant together in Taipei.
December 8, 2025: Trump said the US would allow Nvidia to export its H200 processors, its second-best AI chips, to China.
Spring of 2026: Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversees drafting of classified memo warning senior Trump administration officials that Jensen Huang was in a close relationship with Alice Huang, according to a November New York Times report.
March 25, 2026: Trump appoints Jensen Huang to his President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
May 2026: Jensen Huang joins a US delegation of Trump’s that was visiting China to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump aimed to urge Beijing to open up to US business.
September 14: Jensen Huang takes a phone call from Donald Trump during a live taping of the annual All-In summit. The two speak against proposals to slow AI development and discuss US leadership in AI.
September 24: Jensen Huang and his wife, Lori, attend a White House state dinner hosted by Trump during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US.
October 8: Trump awards Jensen Huang the National Medal of Science, the United States’ highest honor for scientists and engineers, alongside other tech industry leaders. The same day Trump gave the award, the president disclosed buying up to $1.6 million and selling up to $1 million in Nvidia stock during the summer of 2026.
October 29: The New York Times (NYT) reports that Jensen Huang and Alice Huang had a “close relationship.” The report added US intelligence officials were concerned Alice Huang was acting on behalf of Chinese intelligence. Nvidia meanwhile says the relationship was not “unusual.”
November 5: Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives seek a closed-door briefing on November 18 from Jensen Huang on the allegations detailed in the NYT report.
November 8: Jensen Huang tells Nvidia employees he was unfaithful to his wife, without giving specifics. Nvidia’s board launches an independent investigation into reports the CEO was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.
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November 9: Nvidia and Jensen Huang are sued in a proposed class action accusing them of defrauding shareholders by concealing Huang’s ties with a suspected Chinese spy.
November 10: Jensen Huang’s affair facilitated the shipment of at least $7.5 billion worth of the company’s chips to Chinese firms, The Information reported. Meanwhile, Republican US Senator Kevin Cramer calls for Jensen Huang’s resignation, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer calls on Congress to pass the AI Overwatch Act, which would give Congress power over advanced chip exports.
November 11: The CEO also had an extramarital affair with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, who reported to him, according to a NYT report. The Nvidia board meets to decide on Jensen Huang’s ouster.
Must Read Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang steps down in big blow to AI boom
November 12: Nvidia announces Jensen Huang’s resignation as CEO. Colette Kress, executive vice president and CFO of Nvidia, was appointed interim CEO while the board begins a search for a permanent replacement. A separate report found sources that said Jensen Huang had a second affair with a different, unnamed Nvidia employee.
– with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com