Trump shifts stance on Intel CEO

Trump shifts from a demand to resign to praise, tapping a path that knots politics, national security and corporate leadership.

Trump Praises Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan After Earlier Call to Resign

President Donald Trump met with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, along with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, and praised Tan’s success on Truth Social. He described the meeting as interesting and said Tan’s rise is an amazing story and that Tan would work with his cabinet secretaries with suggested ideas next week. Intel, in a separate statement, thanked the President and said it looks forward to closely coordinating with his administration to advance priorities in technology and manufacturing leadership. Tan became Intel CEO in March, marking a decisive moment for the chipmaker as it seeks to regain momentum.

The report also notes a political thread, with Sen. Tom Cotton raising questions about Tan’s investments and past leadership at Cadence Design Systems, including Chinese investments with potential military ties. Intel reaffirmed its commitment to national security and the defense ecosystem, while Tan issued a memo highlighting decades of industry work and a pledge to operate within high legal and ethical standards. The CHIPS and Science Act has provided about $8 billion to Intel, and the company says it remains focused on turning around operations as stock moved higher after hours.

This episode shows how corporate leadership can become a political lever. A public shift in tone from calling for resignation to praising the CEO underscores how optics matter in tech policy and national security debates. As lawmakers scrutinize investments and cross border ties, leadership at major players like Intel becomes a flashpoint for questions about governance, responsibility, and the role of government funding in keeping critical supply chains in America. The episode also hints at a broader pattern: presidents and lawmakers try to shape corporate behavior through public signaling, while executives emphasize reliability and compliance to reassure investors and the public.

Highlights

The room for political calculus around tech leadership will keep shaping how these companies are watched.