In a White House press conference, President Trump was vague about when learned of Jensen Huang’s affair.
In a White House press conference, President Trump was vague about when learned of Jensen Huang’s affair.
President Trump held a White House press briefing earlier today and responded to several questions about his knowledge of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s affair with an alleged Chinese spy. Huang said this weekend that he had been “unfaithful” to his wife, and the company has opened an investigation into Huang.
Recent articles from The New York Times indicated that Trump had been aware of a relationship between Huang and Alice Huang, the suspected spy, before information about it became public. In October, The New York Times reported that Trump had been briefed “roughly a year ago” on intelligence that Huang and the alleged spy, Alice Huang, had developed a close relationship, but he didn’t do anything with the information. Yesterday, the NYT reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio helped draft a memo to Trump officials about the relationship before Trump visited China in May.
In the press conference, Trump wasn’t specific about when he learned of the affair. But Trump said Huang told him today that he had “no idea” the person was a spy.
Here are Trump’s responses to questions about Jensen Huang from his press briefing today. You can watch a replay of the press conference on MS Now’s YouTube channel.
When were you first informed that there was an issue with Jensen Huang and the affair? What was presented to you at the time?
I would say that when I heard about it, first of all, I was amazed because I view him as a very high-quality person. I’ve known him a long time. It’s the largest, by value, the largest or one of the largest companies in the world. He did that with a chip. When you think about it, you’ve got a chip that’s 10 years advanced, can’t be… the Blackwell can’t even be copied. He’s an amazing guy.
I just hope there’s no problem. If there is a problem, we’ll let you know about it. But I hope there’s no problem. I believe he’s suffering greatly. I read his statement. And I believe he’s suffering greatly. Moreso because of his family. His wife who he loves and his family. But he is definitely suffering.
Just to follow up on the, “When were you first told of these potential issues with Mr. Huang?” You didn’t answer that question.
Well I’ve been hearing about it, and I’ve been reading a little bit about it over a period of time. But, not too long ago.
When is that?
We’ll look into it. I know the FBI’s looking into it in terms of something else. I think that he’ll be in good shape.
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Are you going to bring up the case of Jensen Huang with President Xi when you visit with him next week?
No, I don’t think so. Maybe, I’m sure, President Xi will ask me about it. I just know Jensen very well. I just think he’s a very honorable man. He built a great company. American company. I think he’s a very honorable guy. I feel very confident that he’ll be in good shape.
Sticking with Jensen Huang, when you went to China earlier this year in May, did you know about these alleged ties to the spy then?
No, I didn’t hear about it then. But a lot of people have heard about it. And Jensen totally denies that. I asked him today, because I did speak to him today just to see if he’s feeling alright, how are you doing… and I asked him about that. He said he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy. I asked him that question, did you have any idea that she was a spy? He said, I had no idea that she was a spy. And I really believe him.
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I want to put a finer point on when exactly you were made aware of the intelligence around Jensen Huang.
Oh, I’d have to check. But this has been going on…
But there are reports that Secretary Rubio put an intelligence memo out last year. Did you read that memo?
I’d certainly check with the intelligence people. It could have been mentioned. Certainly it didn’t make much of an impact on me.