House Republicans push Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to testify over alleged spy ties

The world’s most closely watched chip executive is now being closely watched by Congress. House Republicans want Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to answer questions personally about his alleged relationship with a woman reportedly working for Chinese intelligence.

Huang has offered to send Nvidia’s general counsel in his place, according to Reuters, which cited a person familiar with the discussions. Lawmakers appear unimpressed. They may subpoena Huang if he does not testify himself.

What lawmakers are asking for

On November 4, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast and two other senior Republican lawmakers sent Huang a letter. They asked for a closed-door briefing.

The request asks Huang to deliver that briefing by November 18, 2026. Lawmakers have also signaled that if he fails to comply or respond adequately by November 11, a subpoena may follow.

The general counsel offer is a familiar corporate move. Sending the company’s top lawyer lets executives answer questions through a professional who knows exactly what not to say. Lawmakers, for their part, typically prefer to hear from the person at the center of the allegations.

The allegations behind the request

The scrutiny traces back to an October 2026 report from The New York Times. The newspaper alleged Huang had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to Beijing.

The woman was identified as Alice Huang, a former executive at a company called Megaspeed. The Times report identified her as an asset of China’s Ministry of State Security, the country’s main civilian intelligence agency.

The Megaspeed connection matters for a specific reason. The company spent approximately $4.8 billion on Nvidia chips over two years, according to the research findings. That makes it a meaningful customer, not a casual acquaintance.

None of these allegations have been proven. Huang has not been charged with anything, and the Times report describes an alleged relationship, not established wrongdoing on his part.

Nvidia’s response and the market reaction

Nvidia’s board launched an independent internal investigation on November 8. The board stressed its commitment to national security.

The board also said it has found no evidence that any information was compromised.

Investors did not wait for either. Nvidia shares fell more than 5% after the allegations surfaced.

The drop reportedly erased $17 billion from Huang’s personal stake.

Why Washington is paying attention

Nvidia sits at the center of the global race for artificial intelligence hardware. Its chips power the data centers training the most advanced AI models, which makes the company a national security asset in the eyes of many in Washington.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee, which Mast chairs, has broad interest in how sensitive American technology flows to foreign governments. A reported connection between Nvidia’s leadership and an alleged Ministry of State Security asset lands squarely in that territory.

What this means

For investors, the immediate question is whether this stays a reputational story or becomes a regulatory one. A closed-door briefing is manageable. A subpoena, public testimony or findings of misconduct would be a different conversation.

The Megaspeed figure is worth watching closely. A customer that spent approximately $4.8 billion on Nvidia chips in two years is the kind of relationship congressional investigators will want to understand in detail.

Nvidia’s internal investigation adds another variable. The board has already said it has found no evidence of compromised information. If the final review holds that line and lawmakers find it credible, the story could fade.

The dates to mark are November 11, the deadline lawmakers set for an adequate response, and November 18, when they want the briefing completed.