Why Nvidia’s spy scandal may cost Howard Lutnick his US Cabinet job

The White House is considering removing US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick from his Cabinet position amid a spy scandal involving former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Lutnick has been summoned to testify before the Senate Banking Committee in December, alongside Huang, who is alleged to have had an affair with Alice Huang, a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy.

The controversy stems from Nvidia exporting sensitive AI chips to China, with lawmakers criticizing Lutnick for not doing enough to prevent such shipments. Critics argue that Huang supported increased exports to China, even approving the sale of advanced H200 AI chips in December 2025 for a portion of the revenue. Democrats have called for an investigation into the Commerce Department's approval of these chip exports, questioning whether it amounts to an unconstitutional export tax.