Trump Calls for Immediate Resignation of Intel CEO Over Security Concerns

President Donald Trump has demanded the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan following national security concerns raised by Republican Senator Tom Cotton. Trump expressed his stance through a post on his Truth Social platform, stating, “The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.”

This demand comes after Senator Cotton wrote a letter to Intel, questioning Tan’s connections to various Chinese firms. Cotton highlighted that Tan reportedly controls dozens of Chinese companies and has stakes in hundreds of advanced-manufacturing and semiconductor firms. According to Cotton, at least eight of these companies have ties to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

In his letter, Cotton also referenced Tan’s previous role as head of Cadence Design Systems, where the company recently pleaded guilty to illegally selling products to a Chinese military university and transferring technology to a related Chinese semiconductor company without proper licenses. Tan was in charge during this period, raising further questions about his suitability to lead Intel.

Intel’s Struggles in a Competitive Market

Tan, who was born in Malaysia, took over the leadership of Intel in March 2022 amid significant challenges. Under his guidance, the company announced layoffs as it navigates a landscape complicated by White House tariffs and export restrictions. Tan acknowledged that overcoming these challenges would not be easy.

Intel, once a titan of Silicon Valley, has seen its market position eroded by competitors like TSMC and Samsung, which dominate the contract semiconductor manufacturing space. Additionally, the emergence of Nvidia as a leader in AI chip technology has further complicated Intel’s standing in the industry. The company’s traditional focus on computing chips has been overshadowed by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

As the situation unfolds, the response from Intel and the implications of Trump’s demand remain to be seen. The call for Tan’s resignation highlights the ongoing scrutiny of corporate leadership in the context of national security, particularly regarding ties to China.