U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, to resign immediately. He made this statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, on August 7.
Trump said the CEO has a “conflict of interest” and there’s “no other solution” but for him to step down. After Trump’s post, Intel’s stock fell by 5% in early market trading.
Why Is Trump Asking for the Resignation?
Trump’s demand comes just a few days after U.S. Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel’s board. In the letter, Cotton raised concerns about Tan’s past connections with Chinese companies. Cotton fears these ties could affect U.S. national security, especially because Intel plays a major role in secure government technology.
Who is Lip-Bu Tan?
Lip-Bu Tan became the CEO of Intel in March 2025, replacing former CEO Pat Gelsinger. Tan took over during a tough time for Intel, which had been facing falling sales.
Before joining Intel, Tan was the CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a software company, until 2021.
What Are the Concerns?
Senator Cotton mentioned that Cadence Design—where Tan used to work—was involved in a criminal investigation during Tan’s time there. He asked whether Intel’s board knew about this before hiring him.
Cotton also questioned if:
- Tan has any investments in Chinese chip companies linked to the Chinese government or military.
- He informed Intel about all his past business ties to Chinese firms.
- Intel took any steps to prevent potential risks from Tan’s background.
The senator is worried that if these ties are real, it could be risky for U.S. national interests—especially since Intel works on classified technology projects like the Secure Enclave program.
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