Nvidia hires crisis PR specialist: Jensen Huang controversy widens

Late in October 2025, Nvidia brought in Risa Heller Communications to handle press questions about chief executive Jensen Huang. Nvidia statements and a New York Times report say the scrutiny had spread to both his personal life and his role at the chipmaker.

By that point, the issue had plainly widened. The New York Times reported that Nvidia employees were told to copy Risa Heller Communications on all media requests involving Huang as pressure built after the paper linked Alice Huang, a former Megaspeed executive and Jensen Huang’s partner, to a major Nvidia chip buyer, a Commerce Department probe into possible export-control evasion, and a US intelligence allegation that Alice Huang was a Chinese government spy. China denied that claim. Singapore said it wasn’t investigating, according to the Times report.

Nvidia initially described routine business as Jensen Huang’s contact with Alice Huang, according to company statements. Huang later said the relationship was romantic and, in November 2026, apologized to staff for being unfaithful, also according to Nvidia statements.

The fallout has since fed leadership tensions, prompted a board investigation that said it found no sign that US security or Nvidia secrets had been compromised, according to Nvidia’s board investigation, and drawn calls from House Republicans amid warnings about blackmail, the stock, and Jensen Huang’s future.

If you follow Nvidia, AI chips, or US-China export policy, keep an eye on this one.

You can trace the story through Nvidia’s statements and the New York Times report.

Author: Manuel Bosque

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