Trump Demands Intel CEO Resignation Over Reported Links to Chinese Military Firms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 8, 2025
President Donald J. Trump called for Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign immediately, citing serious concerns over the executive’s reported ties to Chinese Communist Party-linked semiconductor companies with connections to the People’s Liberation Army.
In a Thursday post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!”
The president’s remarks came after Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) sent a letter to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary, pressing for answers on whether Tan had divested from Chinese semiconductor firms tied to Beijing’s military and intelligence apparatus. Cotton’s letter demanded clarity on potential conflicts of interest at the top of one of America’s most strategically important technology companies.
Tan, who became Intel’s CEO in March, has not publicly confirmed whether he has divested from the companies in question.
National Security at the Forefront
The U.S.–China rivalry has intensified over control of the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies critical to both economic dominance and future military capability. Trump has made securing America’s supply chain and keeping sensitive technology out of the hands of adversaries a cornerstone of his “America First” agenda.
Intel issued a statement saying the company is “deeply committed to advancing U.S. national and economic security interests” and that it is making significant investments aligned with Trump’s policy goals.
Tan, in a message to Intel employees, denied wrongdoing and claimed misinformation was circulating about his previous roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems. He said Intel is actively engaging with the Trump administration to clarify the matter.
“I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security,” Tan said, adding that he is “proud to lead a company that is so central to these goals.”
Intel’s stock rose slightly in premarket trading following the exchange.
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