The allegations surrounding Alice Huang, the Chinese businesswoman linked to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, have taken a new turn, with U.S. intelligence agencies yet to establish whether she knowingly worked for Beijing or engaged in espionage on its behalf.
According to a CNN report, intelligence gathered by U.S. agencies so far does not conclusively establish that Alice Huang was acting as an agent of the Chinese government. The development has raised questions about the strength of the espionage allegations that have placed Nvidia under intense scrutiny and reportedly prompted its co-founder and CEO to step down.
READ: Nvidia probes into Jensen Huang’s affair with Chinese businesswoman amid spy claims (November 9, 2026)
The FBI has reportedly been examining Alice Huang’s relationship with Jensen Huang for at least a year. However, officials across the U.S. intelligence community remain divided over whether the available evidence proves that she was recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday that the Department of Justice, the FBI and he himself had reached no conclusions about Alice Huang’s identity or alleged involvement in espionage.
Meanwhile, officials at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence reportedly consider the description of Alice Huang as a Chinese spy potentially exaggerated. CIA officials are also said to be unconvinced that intercepted communications establish that she knowingly transferred sensitive information to Beijing.
Megaspeed at the center of investigation
Much of the investigation centers on Megaspeed, Alice Huang’s Singapore-based company, which is a major purchaser of Nvidia’s advanced artificial intelligence chips. Its regional operations and connections to data centers have drawn additional attention to the movement of Nvidia hardware through Southeast Asia. However, these connections do not establish that export-control laws were violated.
The U.S. Justice Department and Commerce Department reportedly began investigating the company in 2024 as part of a broader inquiry into foreign businesses suspected of diverting restricted American semiconductor technology to China.
The report also raises questions about why Megaspeed was not placed on the Commerce Department’s Entity List, which restricts trade with companies considered potential national security threats.
A former Commerce Department official said an intelligence operation was not necessary to facilitate access to Nvidia chips, pointing instead to existing regulatory loopholes that could allow restricted technology to reach China.
U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly obtained communications suggesting that someone with close access to Jensen Huang and Nvidia was a source of information that eventually reached Chinese intelligence channels. However, investigators have not established that Alice Huang was responsible.
Trump weighs in on the allegations
Earlier, Trump said he had spoken with Jensen Huang about the matter and that the Nvidia chief was unaware of the businesswoman’s alleged intelligence connections.
When asked about Jensen Huang’s reported decision to step down as Nvidia CEO, Trump said Thursday: “Well, the big thing is, was the woman a spy? And I don’t know if that’s been determined yet. But if the woman was a spy, yes. If the woman was not a spy, perhaps it would be different.”
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov also drew attention with his reaction to the allegations. Commenting sarcastically on X, he wrote: “Unfair that CEOs who aren’t into Asian girls get fewer dating options from spy agencies. Where are the French/Russian/Iranian honeypots? Not one spy girl sent my way. Are they even trying? France is excused — their decision-makers aren’t into girls. Everyone else: try harder!”
French entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand also questioned the espionage narrative. He noted that Chinese authorities had discouraged domestic technology companies from purchasing certain Nvidia processors to support local semiconductor manufacturers.
READ: Trump might greenlight Nvidia to resume operations with China (August 12, 2025)
Earlier, several lawmakers had called for Jensen Huang’s resignation, including Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va.; and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb.
Broader implications for Nvidia
The allegations extend beyond Jensen Huang and his personal relationships. Nvidia occupies a central position in the global artificial intelligence industry and is the world’s second-most valuable company after Apple. Its advanced processors have also become a national security priority for U.S. officials seeking to maintain the country’s lead in the global AI race.
It remains unproven whether any security breach occurred or whether Alice Huang was working as a Chinese intelligence operative. Nevertheless, the allegations could have significant implications for Nvidia, raising questions about its corporate security, export controls and exposure to geopolitical risks. The controversy has also weighed on investor confidence and the chipmaker’s market valuation.