‘Intel CEO must resign ‘immediately’ – Trump in fresh demands

President Donald Trump has called for the immediate resignation of the new CEO of Intel, a prominent U.S. semiconductor manufacturer, following concerns raised by a Republican senator regarding the CEO’s connections to companies in China.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted, “The CEO of Intel is highly conflicted and must resign immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.” This statement followed Senator Tom Cotton’s disclosure that he had contacted Intel to express his concerns about Lip-Bu Tan’s affiliations with Chinese firms.

In response to these allegations, Tan issued a statement indicating that Intel is actively engaged in discussions with the Trump administration to address the concerns raised and to ensure that officials are fully informed with accurate information.

Intel, an iconic company in Silicon Valley, is currently facing significant challenges as it competes with dominant players such as TSMC and Samsung in the custom semiconductor sector. Senator Cotton’s letter, which he published on his website, claimed that Tan holds control over numerous Chinese companies and possesses interests in hundreds of advanced manufacturing and semiconductor firms based in China.

“At least eight of these companies reportedly have ties to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” Cotton wrote.

The Republican Senator also noted Tan’s role as the previous head of Cadence Design Systems, which he said recently “pleaded guilty to illegally selling its products to a Chinese military university.”

Cotton said while serving in that role, Tan transferred “its technology to an associated Chinese semiconductor company without obtaining licenses.”

In a statement, Tan said there has been “a lot of misinformation circulating” about his past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems.

“I want to be absolutely clear: Over 40+ years in the industry, I’ve built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem,” Tan said.

“And I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards.”

He stressed that the United States has been his home for over 40 years and that he is “profoundly grateful for the opportunities it has given me.”

He added that he fully shares Trump’s commitment to “advancing US national and economic security” and is proud to lead a company “so central to these goals.”

The Malaysia-born tech industry veteran took the helm at struggling Intel in March, announcing layoffs as White House tariffs and export restrictions muddied the market.

He has previously said it “won’t be easy” to overcome challenges faced by the company.

The company was also caught by surprise with the emergence of Nvidia as the world’s preeminent AI chip provider.

Intel’s niche has been chips used in traditional computing processes, which steadily being eclipsed by the AI revolution.

Punch