Three Republican committee chairs have set a Friday evening deadline for Jensen Huang to confirm his participation in a closed-door, transcribed interview scheduled for 1 December, threatening subpoena action if he declines, according to Politico. The Senate Banking Committee, led by chair Tim Scott, is separately requesting Huang's appearance on 3 December, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick scheduled for 10 December, CNBC reported. Lutnick has already committed to testifying voluntarily.
Despite Huang's departure from the chief executive role on Thursday, Nvidia intends to maintain its internal investigation into whether he became the subject of a foreign intelligence operation, Jessica E. Lessin reported for The Information, citing sources with knowledge of the matter. The company is expected to release a statement affirming its commitment to the inquiry, though no such announcement had been made at the time of reporting. The board initiated the investigation on 8 November and enlisted former federal prosecutor Joon Kim to oversee the review.
Congressional scrutiny and testimony demands
Scott has indicated he will pursue subpoena authority should Huang refuse to cooperate, Politico reported. Huang has already signaled his willingness to provide testimony before the committee.
Lutnick "has proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the Banking Committee to address their questions," a Commerce Department spokesperson said in a statement.
Commerce Department spokesperson
Relationship disclosures and legal representation
The New York Times disclosed on Wednesday that Huang maintained a romantic relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice-president of healthcare, who reported directly to him. Following his resignation, Reuters reported that Huang was also involved in an intimate relationship with a second Nvidia employee, citing two individuals with direct knowledge. The identity of the second employee remains undisclosed, and Nvidia has declined to provide comment. TNW has not independently confirmed either account.
Huang has retained the services of law firm Paul Weiss, according to The New York Times, though the scope of the firm's engagement remains unclear.
Expanding government investigations
Multiple Justice Department inquiries could potentially implicate Nvidia, Semafor's Rohan Goswami reported, drawing on conversations with two administration officials. One investigation examines antitrust concerns centered on the chipmaker itself. Two additional probes are examining Megaspeed and Supermicro, as well as the role of Alice Huang. According to Semafor, there is currently no indication that the department intends to pursue criminal charges against Nvidia or Huang.
Megaspeed is not, and has never been, a Supermicro customer," a Supermicro spokesperson told Semafor.
Supermicro spokesperson
Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Thursday that the Justice Department has not yet determined whether Alice Huang functioned as a foreign intelligence operative, Reuters reported. Intelligence gathered regarding her to date does not substantiate claims that she was acting as a spy for Beijing, according to multiple sources who spoke with CNN. Beijing has categorically denied the allegation.
Well, the big thing is, was the woman a spy? And I don't know if that's been determined yet," President Donald Trump said on Thursday, according to CNN.
President Donald Trump
A Malaysian authorities are also conducting a separate chip-related investigation that includes Megaspeed.
Lutnick under scrutiny
Discussions among senior White House officials are underway regarding the potential removal of Lutnick from his position, two individuals briefed on the conversations told Reuters. A White House official countered on Thursday that Trump "maintains complete confidence" in Lutnick.
If Trump wants to show that he gets it and he hears people, he fires Lutnick next week," Senator Chris Coons told Politico.
Senator Chris Coons
Company operations and earnings
Interim chief executive Colette Kress notified staff that Nvidia will convene a meeting on 18 November, Reuters reported. The company remains on schedule to release its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday, 17 November.
Source: The Next Web
