Jensen Huang Resigns From Nvidia Following Affair Reports

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned Thursday, according to the company's board, following reports that he had affairs with two women.

Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress takes over the role on an interim basis while the board searches for a permanent CEO. His departure removes one of President Donald Trump’s most trusted Silicon Valley allies, and one of the artificial intelligence industry’s loudest cheerleaders at a time when lawmakers are figuring out how to respond to voter anxiety that the technology will lead to massive economic disruption. Huang has stepped down from his roles as president, CEO and board member.

Kress has worked at the company since September 2013, and before that spent nearly 25 years in finance roles at other technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.

Nvidia’s board has also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chair.

“NVIDIA’s strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years,” Kress said in a statement.

Nvidia’s board launched an independent investigation into Huang after The New York Times reported he was having an affair with businesswoman Alice Huang, who U.S. intelligence agencies believe was an agent for Beijing. The Times reported on Wednesday that he also had an affair with an Nvidia executive.

While Trump defended Jensen Huang following the initial report on Alice Huang, calling him a “high quality person” who is “suffering greatly,” the former CEO faced growing calls for an investigation into his conduct, and ultimately his resignation.

Nvidia and Jensen Huang were also sued by shareholders for failing to disclose the relationship after the company’s stock price tanked 5%.