The key facts

  • The petition for Huang's reinstatement has been signed by 137.9 thousand people, including 6.8 thousand current Nvidia employees
  • Huang stepped down after a scandal over infidelity and reports of a woman whom US intelligence services consider an agent of Chinese intelligence
  • Elon Musk announced the signature collection the day before

More than 130 thousand signatures in support of the former Nvidia chief

More than 130 thousand people have signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of former Nvidia head Jensen Huang, who stepped down amid a scandal over romantic affairs. This is reported by RIA Novosti, citing data published by Gazeta.Ru. The petition is hosted on the company's own website: as of 10:00, it had been signed by 6.8 thousand current Nvidia employees, 74.1 thousand shareholders, and 55.6 thousand of Huang's supporters — a total of 137.9 thousand people.

What is known about the scandal surrounding Huang

In November, the Nvidia chief was suspected of having a romantic relationship with a woman whom US intelligence services consider an agent of Chinese intelligence. According to media reports, she was recruited for espionage and attempts to circumvent US restrictions on AI chip supplies to China. Huang apologized to employees and his family, admitting to infidelity, but journalists soon learned of another affair — with his subordinate Kimberly Powell. Shortly after the scandal broke, he stepped down. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Huang may have fallen victim to Chinese intelligence, while Gazeta.Ru reported that the former company head was found to have a third mistress.

Musk's role and what remains unclear

American businessman Elon Musk announced the signature collection in support of Huang the day before. Notably, the petition is hosted on Nvidia's own website and, according to the cited data, a significant share of the signatures — 74.1 thousand — come from the company's shareholders, which distinguishes this campaign from ordinary public petitions. The sources do not provide any official reaction from Nvidia's board of directors to the campaign or information about a possible return of Huang; the legal status of the suspicions regarding ties to Chinese intelligence also remains unknown — they are based on media reports and, as noted, assessments by US intelligence services.