Washington, DC: U.S. President Donald Trump has said former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is “going through hell” due to the controversy around his alleged extra-marital affairs and that he is “very concerned” about the effect it has on his wife and family.
“We had a conversation yesterday. He is in hell. He is very concerned about his wife and family,” Trump said in an interview with Stephen A Smith on Thursday (local time).
“He called me. He is very concerned about his wife and family,” Trump said.
Trump said he had always known Jensen Huang to be a good person and that he would overcome the controversy.
“I know him pretty well. I always thought of him as a fine man,” Trump said.
Trump Questions Whether Alice Huang Was A Spy
Trump also questioned the allegations around Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang.
“When you ask me if he should resign I say what’s really the issue? Was she a spy?” Trump said.
“But if the woman was a spy, yes. If the woman was not a spy, perhaps it would be different. But I can tell you this: somehow, he’ll end up on his feet,” Trump said.
The controversy has surrounded Alice Huang, who has reportedly drawn attention from the U.S. intelligence community due to her alleged ties to intelligence. Jensen Huang has admitted to having an extra-marital affair and reports have said that Alice Huang was one of the women involved. The pair are not related.
However, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied the allegations, describing them as “groundless speculation and an attempt to smear and malign China.”
Reports have also claimed that Jensen Huang had an affair with Nvidia’s Vice President of Healthcare Kimberly Powell.
Trump’s Latest Comments Contradict Previous Comments
Trump’s latest comments seem contradict his comments on Monday, where he said Alice Huang was a spy and Jensen Huang denied knowing she was tied to intelligence.
“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,” Trump had said.
Trump also reiterated his suggestion that former Apple CEO Tim Cook could be a good option to take over at Nvidia.
“I think Tim Cook would be a great candidate to run Nvidia,” Trump said.
Earlier, Trump told Salem News Channel that he felt it was a “horrible thing” that Huang had left the company.
Jensen Huang Co-Founded Nvidia In 1993
Jensen Huang co-founded Nvidia back in 1993 and has been at the helm of the company for the past 33 years, taking it to become one of the world’s biggest suppliers of artificial intelligence chips.
After leaving his role as CEO, Nvidia’s board have appointed their Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress to take over on an interim basis while they look for a long-term replacement.
The controversy has highlighted the personal side of Huang’s life with the allegations around Alice Huang and the transition of leadership at the chip making giant.