Trump demands resignation of Intel CEO over alleged China ties

DDM News

(DDM) – President Donald Trump on Thursday publicly called for the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, citing alleged ties to China.

DDM gathered that the demand came after Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas raised concerns about the tech executive’s reported investments in Chinese companies, some allegedly linked to the country’s military.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Tan was “highly CONFLICTED” and should “resign, immediately,” stressing there was “no other solution to this problem.”

Cotton had earlier addressed a letter to Intel board Chair Frank Yeary, referencing an April Reuters report that Tan, both personally and through various venture funds, had invested in hundreds of Chinese firms.

According to Cotton, some of these firms maintain connections with China’s defense establishment.

The senator warned that U.S. companies benefiting from federal grants must safeguard taxpayer dollars and meet stringent national security standards.

He also posted on X that the board of Intel “owes Congress an explanation” over the CEO’s business activities.

Intel responded in a statement, saying the company, its board, and Tan remain committed to U.S. national and economic security interests, aligning their strategies with Trump’s “America First” agenda.

The semiconductor giant added that it looks forward to working closely with the Trump administration amid the controversy.

Tan assumed leadership of Intel in March, inheriting a company struggling to regain competitiveness after missing major growth waves in mobile technology and artificial intelligence.

Intel’s market rival, Nvidia, has recently surged ahead, becoming the first company to hit a $4 trillion valuation, with its chips powering global AI infrastructure.

In July, Intel announced a 15% workforce reduction aimed at building “a faster-moving, flatter and more agile organization” to compete more effectively.

The latest political storm over Tan’s alleged China connections adds to the challenges facing the chipmaker as it fights to reclaim its place in the semiconductor industry.

Shares of Intel closed down 3% on Thursday following Trump’s remarks, reflecting investor unease over both leadership stability and potential political ramifications.

It remains unclear whether Intel’s board will act on Trump’s demand or whether Tan will address the allegations

directly in the coming days.

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