Intel CEO Resists Resignation Demand

Intel chief Lip-Bu Tan rejects calls to resign amid scrutiny over past ties to China.

Intel CEO defies Trump resignation demand in open letter

President Donald Trump publicly demanded the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan over accusations of deeply conflicted ties to China. Tan has led Cadence Design Systems before joining Intel, a firm that pleaded guilty to selling chip-design products to a Chinese military university, according to the Wall Street Journal. A Reuters investigation earlier this year found Tan invested in hundreds of Chinese tech firms, including several with links to the People s Liberation Army. The calls from Trump followed questions from Republican Senators about Tan s suitability, adding to friction with Intel s board as the company maps its future.

Tan published a letter to all Intel employees, later posted on the company site, defending his record and pledging loyalty to both the United States and Intel. He said he has lived in the United States for more than 40 years, loves the country, and has always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards. Intel s board has expressed support for Tan for now and said the company is in talks with the White House to address the matters and ensure the facts are clear. The company also highlighted a plan to ramp high volume manufacturing using the most advanced semiconductor process technology in the United States later this year.

Trading on the news showed a swing in sentiment: the stock fell early, edged higher later in the session, and finished up modestly, though it remains well below the post spike high seen after Tan s appointment. The episode highlights how political scrutiny now intersects with corporate governance in the U.S. tech sector.

Viewed in a broader frame, the episode shows how tech leadership sits at the crossroads of policy and profit. The board backing signals a preference for stability, even as lawmakers press for clarity on national security and ties to China. If White House engagement deepens, Intel could face renewed pressures over disclosure and governance that affect investment decisions and its long term strategy. For investors and workers, the central question is whether leadership can stay focused on delivering the company s manufacturing and product roadmap amid political heat. This is a reminder that the best run businesses still face political tests that can shift timelines and risk tolerance.

Highlights

The outcome will depend on the intersection of policy clarity and execution strength.