Trump Pushes For Intel CEO Resignation, Says He’s ‘Highly Conflicted’

President Donald Trump on Friday said that the CEO of Intel should resign, calling Lip-Bu Tan ‘highly conflicted.’

“There is no other solution to this problem,” he said in a post on Truth Social, after Senator Tom Cotton raised concerns about Tan’s connections with Chinese companies hurting national security on Wednesday.

Intel’s stock fell over 2% in pre-market trade. The stock was among the top trending tickers on Stocktwits at the time of writing. However, retail doesn’t seem to be bearing down. Platform data showed that retail sentiment around the chip designer had improved to ‘bullish’ from ‘bearish’ a day ago, with chatter showing that investors were looking forward to a change in leadership.

In a letter to Intel chairperson Frank Yeary, Cotton said he was writing to “express concern about the security and integrity of Intel's operations and its potential impact on U.S. national security," as cited by Reuters.

In the document, he asked whether Intel's board had ensured that Tan had divested from semiconductor companies operating in China, linked to the Chinese military, or the Communist Party. He also asked if Tan had disclosed other ties to Chinese companies due to Intel's involvement in the Secure Enclave program–an initiative that was implemented during former President Joe Biden’s tenure to ensure a secure supply of microelectronics for defense.

According to data collected by Reuters, Tan invested at least $200 million in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms between March 2012 and December 2024.

Cotton also highlighted subpoenas sent to Cadence during Tan's time there as CEO before Intel hired him, asking whether the board was aware of these legal matters. Assuming they were aware, asked what, if any, measures were taken to address those concerns.

The letter comes after Cadence Design pleaded guilty and agreed to pay more than $140 million for selling its chip design products to a Chinese military university. The university was believed to be involved in simulating nuclear blasts. "Intel is required to be a responsible steward of American taxpayer dollars and to comply with applicable security regulations," Cotton wrote. "Mr. Tan's associations raise questions about Intel's ability to fulfill these obligations."

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