Trump says Huang told him he had no idea the woman was a spy
Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, at an impromptu news briefing
Trump says he called Huang to see how he was doing, that Huang told him he had no idea Alice Huang was a spy, and that he believes him.
Responding to
U.S. intelligence officials believe Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive with a close relationship to Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, was working for China's Ministry of State Security, making him the target of a Chinese intelligence effort.
“He said he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy”
Reporting
Reporting
Other statements by Donald Trump in this case
- Trump calls Huang "an honorable guy" and backs him as Nvidia's chief executiveEarlier: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Nvidia's board investigates reports that CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a Chinese intelligence effort; Huang admits an affair and China calls the spy allegation a smear
On November 8, 2026, Nvidia's board said it was opening an independent investigation after news reports that its founder and chief executive, Jensen Huang, had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. The New York Times reported in October that U.S. intelligence officials believe Alice Huang, an executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company that buys Nvidia chips, was working for China's Ministry of State Security and had a close relationship with Jensen Huang; the two are not related. The Financial Times later reported that the U.S. government believes the relationship was romantic. In a message to staff the same day, Huang said he had been unfaithful to his wife and that he supports the investigation. The board says it has no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised. China's Foreign Ministry calls the spy allegation unsubstantiated and a smear.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
ABC News report on President Trump's remarks to reporters at the White House on November 9, 2026, saying Jensen Huang told him by phone that he had no idea Alice Huang was a spy and that the FBI is looking into the matter. It also reports that a proposed class action was filed that day against Nvidia and Huang on behalf of a shareholder.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
NBC News report on November 9, 2026, on President Trump's remarks about his call with Jensen Huang. Citing a source familiar with the matter, it reports that the Justice Department's National Security Division is conducting a criminal investigation into Megaspeed over suspected smuggling of Nvidia chips into China.
Before the quotation
Asked at an impromptu news briefing about the reports, Trump says he spoke with Huang that day to see if he was feeling all right.
After the quotation
Trump says he really believes Huang. He does not say when he was first briefed on the matter and says the FBI is looking into it in terms of something else.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the reported relationship between Jensen Huang and Megaspeed executive Alice Huang, whom U.S. intelligence officials reportedly believe was working for Chinese intelligence, and whether it put U.S. or Nvidia secrets at risk. Trump relays Huang's denial that he knew she was a spy, says he believes him and expects Huang to be in good shape, which defends Huang against the concerns raised by the reports.
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“Jensen Huang should resign from Nvidia”Read statement
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“This is a guy that's right now so vulnerable to extortion, blackmail. I just don't think, as a national security matter, we can run the risk.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Trump says Huang told him he had no idea the woman was a spy". First published: 2026-11-12. Last updated: 2026-11-12. https://disputeindex.com/events/8652-trump-says-he-called-huang-to-see-how