More than 132,000 people have signed an online petition calling on Nvidia’s board to reinstate co-founder Jensen Huang as chief executive, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and several prominent technology executives backing the campaign following Huang’s abrupt departure from the chipmaker.
The campaign, titled Stand with Jensen, is demanding an independent investigation, a fair hearing for Huang and a public explanation from Nvidia’s board about the circumstances surrounding his exit after 33 years at the company.
According to Moneycontrol, the petition had collected 153,431 signatures as of November 15. The website’s displayed breakdown included 7,420 people identifying themselves as current Nvidia employees, 1,396 former employees, 81,311 shareholders and 63,313 other supporters. These affiliations are self-reported and have not been independently verified.
Musk publicly endorsed the campaign on X, writing that he was signing the petition calling for Huang’s reinstatement. Other prominent supporters include Replit CEO Amjad Masad, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan.
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The open letter argues that Huang should be allowed to respond while an independent investigation establishes the facts. It asks the board to consider reinstating him during the investigation unless directors can demonstrate that his departure serves the company’s interests.
“33 years of leadership do not place anyone above accountability. But accountability requires evidence, a fair hearing, and a reasoned decision,” the letter states.
The campaign also wants Nvidia to disclose the investigation’s scope and timeline and explain the board’s decision publicly. Organizers say the initiative is independent and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Nvidia or Huang.
Employee support adds a personal dimension
Beyond the petition numbers, personal accounts from people who worked with Huang have added another dimension to the campaign.
An Nvidia employee who said they had spent nearly eight years at the company shared a lengthy tribute on X, describing Huang’s leadership, professional mentorship and personal kindness during a family crisis.
The employee recalled how Huang supported researchers, founders and startups when their prospects were uncertain, sometimes committing Nvidia’s resources to help them develop their ideas.
The account also described how Huang helped the employee’s family when their sister was battling brain cancer and her condition deteriorated during a visit to California. According to the post, Huang helped the family navigate difficult medical circumstances and hospital expenses and took time to meet the employee’s sister. The employee recalled Huang telling them: “I am proud of you. Treasure this time together.”
The post portrayed a side of Huang that the employee believed was often overlooked amid the controversy surrounding his departure, emphasizing his personal commitment to colleagues alongside his influence on Nvidia’s business and the wider technology ecosystem. The account was presented as a personal recollection rather than an official statement from Nvidia.
Not all Nvidia employees back the campaign
The growing petition should not be interpreted as a unanimous expression of employee sentiment. WIRED reported that an internal Nvidia suggestion-box post urging the board to consider employee views on Huang’s future had attracted more than 1,600 comments, with the majority reportedly supporting his reinstatement. However, Nvidia Vice President of Applied Deep Learning Research Bryan Catanzaro publicly rejected a separate viral letter that falsely listed him among employees demanding Huang’s return and the board’s resignation. Catanzaro said the document was fabricated and that he would not have signed it even if it were genuine. He also expressed confidence in the board and support for interim CEO Colette Kress.
The distinction is important: the public Stand with Jensen petition and the separate purported internal employee letter are not the same initiative.
Nvidia faces a leadership transition
Nvidia announced on November 12 that Huang had resigned as president, CEO and a member of its board, effective immediately. The board appointed longtime Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO and Harvey C. Jones as chairman while beginning the search for a permanent successor.
The departure followed reports about Huang’s personal relationships, including allegations that a businesswoman suspected by US intelligence officials has links to Chinese intelligence. The intelligence-related allegations have not been independently established.
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The New York Times reported on November 14 that Huang’s relationship with a female customer, which he had described as business-related, became central to the events leading to his resignation. The wider controversy has also prompted scrutiny of Nvidia’s corporate governance and the circumstances of the board’s investigation.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led its transformation from a graphics-chip manufacturer into one of the world’s most influential suppliers of artificial intelligence computing technology.
His departure therefore carries implications beyond a conventional executive transition. Nvidia’s position in the global AI industry has made its leadership, strategic direction and relationships with technology partners important to investors, developers and companies building AI infrastructure.
The petition campaign now places pressure on the board to address questions about the transition even as it prepares to select a permanent successor. Nvidia has not announced any decision to reinstate Huang.