AMNA NAWAZ: Welcome to the "News Hour."

Lawmakers, investors, and tech leaders around the world spent part of this day assessing the bombshell revelations about Nvidia, one of the world's most valuable companies, and its founder and CEO, Jensen Huang.

GEOFF BENNETT: Nvidia designs the chips and processors that power artificial intelligence, and now its CEO faces mounting scrutiny inside the company on Capitol Hill and in the courts.

Following media reports, Huang admitted he was having an affair.

The woman is said to be a suspected Chinese spy, raising questions about Huang, President Trump's relationship with him, and Huang's dealings with China on critical technology.

President Trump spoke about it at the White House a short time ago.

And that's where William Brangham begins our coverage.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: President Trump tonight defended Jensen Huang, saying he'd learned about the allegations some time ago.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States: He's an amazing guy.

I just hope it's -- I hope there's no problem.

If there is a problem, we will let you know about it, but I hope there's no problem.

I believe he's suffering greatly.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: The president also said the FBI is involved and that he reached out to Huang today.

DONALD TRUMP: I asked him that question.

Did you have any idea that she was a spy?

He said: "I had no idea that she was a spy."

And I really believe him.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: The president's comments came in the wake of this shocking revelation from Silicon Valley.

JENSEN HUANG, CEO, Nvidia: Blackwell architecture.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: The head of one of the companies' most critical to the development of artificial intelligence, Jensen Huang, admitted to having an extramarital affair with Alice Huang, a Chinese tech executive and suspected spy in the pink dress.

There's no relation.

She's an executive at another computing and AI giant, the Singapore-based firm Megaspeed, which is also one of Nvidia's largest customers.

According to reporting by The Financial Times and other news organizations, the Trump administration had intelligence reports indicating Alice Huang had been recruited by the Chinese Ministry of Security, known as the MSS, to gather information on Nvidia.

The Chinese government has categorically denied the accusations.

GUO JIAKUN, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (through translator): We have previously responded to this matter.

The so-called claims of a Chinese spy narrative are purely a groundless accusation.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Jensen Huang, in a statement yesterday, admitted to the affair in a company-wide statement -- quote -- "I was unfaithful to my wife.

My actions hurt her and our children.

There is no excuse for what I did.

I am deeply sorry."

Two of Huang's children work at Nvidia.

The company's board of directors launched an independent probe, saying -- quote -- "While the board has no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, the board's inquiry will examine all available information."

Separately, on Capitol Hill, three Republican chairmen of different House committees have requested a closed-door briefing with Huang to determine -- quote -- "the extent to which U.S.

national security has been put at risk."

Last night, President Trump defended Jensen Huang.

DONALD TRUMP: I think he probably has an excuse for it.

You have to hear it.

I think he's an honorable guy.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Huang founded Nvidia in 1993, but he first rose to prominence in late 2023, when Nvidia's computer processors and hardware helped usher in the boom in artificial intelligence.

Since then, Huang has developed a close relationship with President Trump.

JENSEN HUANG: Mr.

President.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Even taking a personal call from the president while on stage at an AI summit.

DONALD TRUMP: It's all a hoax.

The data centers are great.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: On that call, Trump reiterated his opposition to any legislation that would restrict the growth of artificial intelligence, a view that Huang himself shares.

JENSEN HUANG: Market forces are already there.

We don't need any new laws.

We don't need new regulations.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Huang's relationship with the Trump administration also helped his successful lobbying campaign to allow Nvidia to sell some of its AI chips to Beijing earlier this year.

Minority House Leader Hakeem Jeffries today said he supported greater regulation of AI exports to China.

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): There are provisions currently in the Senate that will restrict chip access to China that I strongly support.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Now this accusation of possible espionage inside one of the most critical tech firms in the world will be a center of attention as the lame-duck Congress returns to work this week.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm William Brangham.