Fallout from Nvidia scandal reaches White House as another affair with staffer comes to light and it's revealed Trump urged Huang not to resign

Detailed summary

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is now facing questions about what role he may have played in the Chinese spy scandal that cost Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang his job as CEO.

Published: 06:25 GMT, 13 November 2026 | Updated: 08:15 GMT, 13 November 2026

The Chinese spy scandal that cost Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang his job as CEO has now reached the White House as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was facing questions about what role he may have played in the scandal.

It was also revealed Thursday that Huang had an affair with a second staffer amid revelations that President Donald Trump urged the tech tycoon not to resign.

Reuters reported that Huang had an intimate relationship with another woman who worked for Nvidia. The outlet chose not to name the woman.

Huang has already admitted to having an affair with Nvidia executive Kimberly Powell, 48, in addition to Alice Huang, a Chinese entrepreneur who was under investigation for allegedly passing information to Beijing.

Mr Huang, 63, had been touted by the Trump administration as a leader in artificial intelligence as he maintained a close relationship with Lutnick.

After Huang confessed to having an affair with Alice Huang, Trump called him an 'honorable guy' who 'probably has an excuse for it.'

Trump also called the now-ousted chief on Tuesday and urged him to keep fighting for his job, two people briefed on the conversation told The New York Times.

When Nvidia later announced on Thursday that Huang had resigned, the president called him a 'legend' in a post on his Truth Social page as he suggested former Apple CEO Tim Cook should take his place.

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