Prior to his abrupt resignation on Thursday, November 12, 2026, former Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump urging him to “keep fighting for his job,” according to a report by The New York Times.
The Tuesday phone conversation took place at the height of Nvidia’s internal board inquiry into Huang’s personal conduct and alleged extramarital relationships, before the 63-year-old co-founder ultimately stepped down as president, chief executive, and board member.
Behind-the-Scenes Phone Calls & Trump’s Reaction
Details emerging from Washington highlight private exchanges between Trump and Huang leading up to Thursday’s leadership shak
- Tuesday’s Call to Fight On: According to two sources briefed on the conversation, President Trump called Huang on Tuesday and encouraged him not to step down amid the escalating governance controversy.
- Huang’s Remorse Over Family: Speaking in a Thursday interview with broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, Trump revealed that Huang had called him the previous day, expressing deep regret over the personal toll on his wife, Lori, and their children. “He’s going through hell,” Trump said, praising Huang’s leadership of Nvidia as “incredible” and “unbelievable.”
- Post-Resignation Endorsement: Once Huang’s resignation was finalized on Thursday—with CFO Colette Kress named interim CEO—Trump took to Truth Social to endorse Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook as his successor, writing: “A Legend replaces a Legend!”
DOJ Update on Spy Probe & Additional Workplace Allegations
As Nvidia begins searching for a permanent successor, federal authorities and corporate reports shed new light on the investigations surrounding Huang’s exit:
- DOJ Statement on Alice Huang: Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that while the FBI is actively investigating allegations that businesswoman Alice Huang was working for the Chinese government, the Justice Department has not yet concluded whether she was a Chinese spy.
- Additional Workplace Relationship Reports: Separately, Reuters reported on Thursday—citing two people familiar with the matter—that Jensen Huang had also been involved in a relationship with a second Nvidia employee, adding to earlier disclosures regarding Alice Huang and Nvidia Vice President Kimberly Powell.
