"Whatever, I don't care anymore": What Jensen Huang said to Trump and employees before resigning from NVIDIA
Two weeks ago, Jensen Huang was still a representative figure of the global AI craze. By late Wednesday, after weeks of denying allegations of extramarital affairs and striving to keep his position, he finally gave up. Those who spoke with him in the last hours of his tenure as CEO described him as having lost his former energy and turning his anger inward.
"Whatever" and "I don't care anymore"
Jensen Huang is known for his sharp and assertive management style. He pays close attention to every detail at NVIDIA, from chip design to the salaries of junior employees. Bloomberg cited a person familiar with the situation who said that this approach no longer exists in the later stages.
This person said that Jensen Huang kept repeating phrases like "whatever" and "I don't care anymore." To those in the room, it seemed as if he had stopped resisting.
"Shit."
People who have spoken to Jensen Huang in recent days told Bloomberg that he has become very remorseful and has even called himself "a piece of dog shit."
According to reports, Jensen Huang stated that he no longer cares what will happen to him. What worries him most is his wife, as well as not wanting to harm the lives of those women who have been publicly associated with him. Bloomberg was unable to contact Jensen Huang for comment.
"I don't think you should talk to me directly."
The day before his resignation, The New York Times called Jensen Huang regarding their report on his second extramarital affair with a NVIDIA executive. Before hanging up the phone, his only response was: “I don’t think you should talk to me directly.”
In a message sent to his employees, Jensen Huang admitted his infidelity to his wife and apologized to his family, colleagues, and shareholders.
Call with Trump
The New York Times cited two individuals who attended the call briefing, stating that U.S. President Donald Trump called Jensen Huang on Tuesday, urging him to continue to fight in order to preserve his position.
However, Jensen Huang still resigned. A few hours later, Trump stated in an interview with radio hosts Stephen A and Smith that Jensen Huang had called him to express his regrets.
Trump said, "I talked to him yesterday. He is going through hellish suffering. What hurts him the most is his wife and family. That’s what he told me. It was he who called me."
When asked whether Jensen Huang should resign, Trump stated that the real question is whether the woman associated with him is a spy. However, he still predicted that Jensen Huang would make a comeback: "Anyway, he will eventually get back on his feet again."
Earlier this week, Trump publicly stated that Jensen Huang is a respectable person. He said that he believes Jensen Huang is unaware of the claims that this woman is associated with Chinese intelligence agencies. The Chinese side has denied these espionage allegations.
What will happen to Jensen Huang next?
Jensen Huang may find it difficult to completely fade out of the public eye. It is expected that he will testify before Congress in the coming weeks. Members of Congress plan to inquire about his relationship with the woman who is alleged by U.S. intelligence agencies to be a Chinese agent, as well as whether this has put the secrets related to NVIDIA's most advanced chips at risk.
NVIDIA has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as the interim CEO, while initiating the selection process for a permanent successor; Harvey Jones has become the company's first Chairman. Jones wrote in a message to employees: "The contributions of Jensen to NVIDIA are of profound significance."
