Trump Demands Resignation of Intel CEO Over Alleged China Ties

Washington D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called for the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, accusing him of having conflicts of interest due to alleged investments in Chinese companies with links to China’s military.

In a social media post, Trump wrote: “The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.”

The call follows growing Republican scrutiny of Tan’s background, including a letter this week from Senator Tom Cotton questioning Intel’s stewardship of U.S. taxpayer dollars. Cotton cited Tan’s past leadership at Cadence Design Systems, which in July pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export controls via its China-based subsidiary. While Tan was not indicted, his prior investments in Chinese firms have drawn criticism.

Intel responded with a statement affirming its commitment to national security and its alignment with Trump’s "America First" agenda. “Intel, the Board of Directors, and Lip-Bu Tan are deeply committed to advancing U.S. national and economic security interests,” the company said.

Tan, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Malaysia, was appointed Intel CEO in March to steer the company through a strategic reset. His leadership comes amid job cuts and a scale-down in manufacturing investments, including U.S. projects, which may have added to tensions with the White House.

Shares of Intel dropped more than 3% following Trump’s remarks. The tech firm has received billions in federal subsidies to rebuild domestic chip production, making its leadership a matter of public interest.

Industry analysts suggest Trump’s comments could be aimed at pressuring Intel amid broader disputes, including potential collaborations with Taiwan’s TSMC and perceived delays in U.S. investment commitments.

The White House defended the president’s remarks, stating: “President Trump remains fully committed to safeguarding our national and economic security. This includes ensuring that iconic American companies are led by individuals who Americans can trust.”

Tan’s financial ties to Chinese firms were previously highlighted in a congressional report and a Reuters investigation, which found personal or fund-linked investments in hundreds of Chinese companies, some tied to the Chinese military.

While Trump has previously criticized corporate leaders, a direct call for the resignation of a private company’s CEO marks a rare escalation, even by his standards.