Former President Donald Trump has demanded the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, citing national security concerns linked to Tan’s alleged ties to Chinese companies and a criminal case involving his former firm, Cadence Design Systems.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared:
“Tan is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.”
The call follows a letter sent by Republican Senator Tom Cotton to Intel’s board chair, raising alarms about Tan’s reported investments in Chinese semiconductor and advanced manufacturing firms, including some allegedly connected to the Chinese military. According to Reuters, Tan, through venture and holding companies, invested at least $200 million in over 400 Chinese tech firms.
Cotton warned that such ties could jeopardize Intel’s operational integrity and U.S. national security. He urged the company to address the implications of Tan’s previous business dealings, particularly during his tenure as CEO of Cadence Design Systems. That company recently pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export controls by selling software to a Chinese military-linked university involved in nuclear simulations—sales that took place while Tan was in charge.
Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio echoed the concerns, posting on X that Intel may have failed its commitments to the state, where it has invested billions in chipmaking facilities. Moreno called for a fraud investigation.
Intel has not yet issued a public statement in response to the allegations or Trump’s remarks. As of Thursday afternoon, the company’s stock price had dropped over 3%.
Tan took the helm of Intel in March 2025, following the departure of CEO Pat Gelsinger. His leadership came at a critical moment as Intel struggles to reclaim ground lost to competitors like Nvidia, particularly in the booming AI chip market. Some analysts argue Tan’s understanding of the Chinese semiconductor sector is a strategic advantage, while others fear political scrutiny may destabilize Intel’s leadership.
Trump’s criticism also comes amid his broader push to re-shore semiconductor production. At a White House event on Wednesday, he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made semiconductors to incentivize domestic manufacturing.
Intel, a major recipient of the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, was awarded $8 billion in federal subsidies to bolster U.S.-based chip production. Any disruption in leadership could complicate these efforts, given Intel’s central role in the country’s semiconductor strategy.
