President Donald Trump called for the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan on Thursday, following growing concerns from Senate Republicans regarding Tan’s prior business dealings with Chinese companies and a pending legal matter involving his former employer.
“The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Thank you for your attention to this problem!”
The statement followed a letter from Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) addressed to Intel’s Board Chair, expressing concerns about the company’s leadership and its potential implications for U.S. national security. In the letter, first reported by Reuters, Cotton questioned the board’s awareness of subpoenas issued to Cadence Design Systems during Tan’s tenure as CEO, prior to his appointment at Intel.
Senator Cotton also pressed Intel for details on whether Tan had divested from Chinese chip firms with links to the Chinese military or Communist Party. These questions come in light of Intel’s participation in the U.S. Secure Enclave program, which is designed to enhance domestic semiconductor production for defense and national security applications.
According to Reuters, Tan—either directly or through venture capital entities he founded or managed—invested in hundreds of Chinese technology and semiconductor firms from 2012 through late 2024. Some of these firms reportedly had ties to the Chinese military. A source told Reuters in April that Tan had since divested from these holdings, though the extent of those divestitures remains unclear.
In response to the controversy, Intel stated it and its CEO remain “deeply committed to the national security of the United States and the integrity of our role in the U.S. defense ecosystem.” The company said it intends to address Senator Cotton’s concerns directly.
Tan, whom Intel has described as “an accomplished technology leader with deep semiconductor industry experience,” was appointed CEO earlier this year and also rejoined the company’s board of directors. He previously led Cadence Design Systems as CEO from 2009 to 2021, a period during which the company more than doubled revenue, expanded margins, and saw its stock value increase more than thirtyfold.
Despite his strong record, Tan steps into the top leadership role at a time when Intel is facing steep competition in the semiconductor sector. His appointment followed the resignation of former CEO Pat Gelsinger in December 2024, before Intel completed a multi-year turnaround plan aimed at regaining market share from rivals such as Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.