Last updated on December 25, 2025
WASHINGTON: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, citing national security concerns raised over the executive’s reported ties to Chinese technology firms.
“The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday.
His comments came shortly after Republican Senator Tom Cotton revealed he had written to Intel’s board, questioning Tan’s connections to Chinese-linked companies. In the letter, Cotton alleged that Tan “controls dozens of Chinese companies and has a stake in hundreds of Chinese advanced-manufacturing and chip firms,” including at least eight with reported links to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Cotton also pointed to Tan’s former leadership of Cadence Design Systems, which he said “pleaded guilty to illegally selling its products to a Chinese military university and transferring its technology to an associated Chinese semiconductor company without licenses.” Tan was leading the company at the time, according to the letter.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
Lip-Bu Tan, who was born in Malaysia, became CEO of Intel in March 2025, stepping in as the semiconductor giant struggled to regain ground amid rising global competition, U.S. trade restrictions, and internal restructuring. His appointment was viewed as a bold move to stabilize Intel’s legacy business while positioning the company for the AI-driven future.
In his early months, Tan announced workforce reductions and acknowledged the uphill battle Intel faces in catching up to global rivals such as TSMC, Samsung, and most recently Nvidia, which has surged ahead as the dominant player in AI chip design.
Intel, once a pillar of Silicon Valley, has seen its traditional stronghold in PC and server chips challenged by Asia’s contract manufacturing giants and by the shifting demand toward high-performance chips tailored for artificial intelligence applications.
Tan has not publicly responded to the resignation calls or the allegations in Senator Cotton’s letter as of press time.
Disclaimer: This article draws from external reporting, with added context by The Ledger Asia to help regional readers better understand its impact. While we reference public statements and sources, not all claims have been independently verified.
