U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick Testifies Before Congress Over Nvidia Scandal

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will testify before Congress regarding the Nvidia scandal, as reported by U.S. media on Thursday (November 12, 2026). Lawmakers are seeking clarity on what President Donald Trump’s administration knew about Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s extramarital affairs, including one with a woman suspected of spying for China.

Lutnick agreed to testify voluntarily after being requested by the Senate Banking Committee. A spokesperson confirmed his willingness to address concerns during the hearing.

Jensen Huang, a key figure in the AI revolution, resigned as Nvidia’s CEO following revelations about his two extramarital affairs, one involving Alice Huang, who is not related and suspected of espionage.

Lutnick has come under scrutiny due to the Commerce Department’s responsibility to review companies for national security risks before approving Trump-era decisions allowing Nvidia to sell advanced chips to China. Beijing is competing with the U.S. for tech dominance, leading to restrictions on exporting cutting-edge chips to China.

Nvidia, a leader in AI chip production, is one of the world’s most valuable companies. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott has requested both Lutnick and Jensen Huang to testify about national security concerns raised by recent reports involving Nvidia and the Commerce Department.