Amid escalating tensions between the United States and China, President Donald Trump has publicly called for the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, accusing him of being “highly conflicted” due to alleged ties to Chinese companies. The demand was made via Trump’s Truth Social account, where he wrote:
The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.
Trump’s statement followed a letter from Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) to Intel’s board chairman, expressing serious concerns about Tan’s business history. Cotton cited Tan’s past leadership at Cadence Design Systems, which recently pleaded guilty to illegally exporting chip design technology to a Chinese military university. The company paid a $140 million settlement.
Cotton also alleged that Tan holds stakes in hundreds of Chinese semiconductor and advanced manufacturing firms, including at least eight with reported ties to the People’s Liberation Army. He questioned whether Intel’s board had been aware of these associations prior to Tan’s appointment and whether any steps were taken to mitigate potential conflicts of interest.
Intel responded with a strong defense of its CEO, stating that both the company and Tan are “deeply committed to advancing U.S. national and economic security interests.” The company emphasized its long-standing presence in American manufacturing and its ongoing investments in domestic semiconductor R&D, including a new advanced fabrication facility in Arizona.
Intel also highlighted its alignment with the CHIPS and Science Act, under which it received nearly $8 billion in federal funding. The company stressed its role in supporting the U.S. defense ecosystem and reiterated its commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
A message from Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to all company employees:
Dear Team,
I know there has been a lot in the news today, and I want to take a moment to address it directly with you.
Let me start by saying this: The United States has been my home for more than 40 years. I love this country and am profoundly grateful for the opportunities it has given me. I also love this company. Leading Intel at this critical moment is not just a job – it’s a privilege. This industry has given me so much, our company has played such a pivotal role, and it’s the honor of my career to work with you all to restore Intel’s strength and create the innovations of the future. Intel’s success is essential to U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership, national security, and economic strength. This is what fuels our business around the world. It’s what motivated me to join this team, and it’s what drives me every day to advance the important work we’re doing together to build a stronger future.
There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about my past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems. I want to be absolutely clear: Over 40+ years in the industry, I’ve built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem – and I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards. My reputation has been built on trust – on doing what I say I’ll do, and doing it the right way. This is the same way I am leading Intel.
We are engaging with the Administration to address the matters that have been raised and ensure they have the facts. I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security, I appreciate his leadership to advance these priorities, and I’m proud to lead a company that is so central to these goals.
The Board is fully supportive of the work we are doing to transform our company, innovate for our customers, and execute with discipline – and we are making progress. It’s especially exciting to see us ramping toward high-volume manufacturing using the most advanced semiconductor process technology in the country later this year. It will be a major milestone that’s a testament to your work and the important role Intel plays in the U.S. technology ecosystem.
Looking ahead, our mission is clear, and our opportunity is enormous. I’m proud to be on this journey with you.
Thank you for everything you’re doing to strengthen our company for the future.
Lip-Bu
Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO in March 2025, inheriting a company struggling to keep pace with competitors like Nvidia and AMD in the AI chip market. Since his appointment, Tan has initiated a major restructuring effort, including layoffs of over 2,000 employees, cancellation of planned manufacturing projects in Europe, and the sale of non-core subsidiaries.
His strategy aims to refocus Intel as an engineering-first company, prioritizing efficiency and innovation. However, the political scrutiny and public pressure from Trump and other Republican figures have added significant challenges to his turnaround efforts.
Industry analysts acknowledge Tan’s deep roots in the semiconductor world, including his venture capital work in China, but caution against politicizing executive leadership. Some experts argue that Tan’s experience and global perspective are assets in a highly competitive and interconnected industry.
Despite the controversy, Intel remains optimistic about its future. Local economic leaders and analysts have urged patience, noting that the company’s transformation under Tan is still in its early stages and could yield long-term benefits.
