Nvidia: honeypot may have been aimed at 'lobbying Jensen Huang to lobby the US government'

President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the FBI is investigating Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang regarding an affair with a woman alleged to be a Chinese government agent. Trump noted that he spoke with Huang via telephone earlier in the day and asked if the executive was aware the woman was a spy. According to Reuters Business via SCMP, Trump said he believes Huang's account that he had no idea the woman was a spy, adding that he considers Huang an honorable man.

The investigation follows reports that Huang may have been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. Nvidia’s board announced an independent investigation into these reports on Sunday, according to Reuters Business via SCMP. While Trump did not provide a specific timeline for when he learned of the intelligence concerns, he indicated he does not believe he will raise the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their expected meeting next week, though he suggested Xi might bring it up.

China has rejected the allegations. Reuters Business via SCMP reports that foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun described the claims on Monday as unfounded and intended to smear Beijing.

Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Reuters Business via SCMP, BBC World, Handelsblatt, CBS News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.