'Honourable guy': Trump defends Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang amid Chinese spy ‘Honeytrap’ allegations

US President Donald Trump has defended Nvidia founder and Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang amid allegations that he was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation involving a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy. Trump described Huang as an "honourable guy" and said he expected him to continue leading the chipmaking giant.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had not discussed the controversy directly with Huang but praised his contribution to the United States.

"I have not spoken to him about it. I just know he's a fine person, but you never know what is going on. I'm sure, I hope everything's fine there. He's done such an incredible job, so I would certainly hope... he's a fine person, in my opinion," Trump said.

Asked whether he regretted not taking action earlier after intelligence agencies briefed him about the suspected foreign spy network, Trump said Huang deserved to be heard before any judgement was made.

"No, I don't think so. I think, you know, I think he's an honourable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it, you know, and you have to hear it. No, you can't do that with people...He's done an amazing job for our country," he said.

Trump also indicated that he expected Huang to remain Nvidia's CEO. Asked whether he believed the executive would continue in the role, he replied: "I think so. Sure."

The President's remarks came after Nvidia's Board of Directors announced an independent investigation into reports that Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence operation. The controversy centres on allegations that he had an extramarital relationship with a technology executive suspected by US intelligence of having links to Chinese intelligence.

Nvidia said the investigation would be overseen by a committee of independent directors, assisted by external legal counsel. The company added that it had no indication that its proprietary technology or classified information had been compromised.

"The NVIDIA Board is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation. The Board prioritises U.S. national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of NVIDIA and its shareholders. 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," the company said in a statement.

Nvidia also confirmed that Huang supported the inquiry and had agreed to cooperate with the investigators.

"Jensen fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it. The Board has confidence in Jensen and his leadership team and will provide further updates as appropriate," the statement added.

The investigation announcement was followed by a report by Fox News that Huang had admitted to an extramarital relationship with the technology executive suspected of spying for China.

According to the network, Huang acknowledged the affair in an internal message to Nvidia employees, in which he apologised for his actions and their impact on his family.

"I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did," Huang said in the message cited by Fox News.

Separately, three Republican chairs of committees in the US House of Representatives asked Huang on Friday to address, in a closed-door meeting, reports about his links with a Chinese businesswoman suspected of providing information to Beijing, Axios reported.

(With ANI inputs)