President Donald Trump has called on US chip maker Intel to “resign immediately” and accused him of having problems with China.
He said in a social media post that CEO Lip-bu Tan was “highly conflicted” and clearly refers to Mr. Tan’s investment in companies closely related to the Chinese military. It is unusual for the president to ask company executives to resign.
Intel has received billions of dollars from the government to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, but has not responded to requests for comment.
Mr Tan was appointed in March to reverse the technology giant as it lags behind China and other competitors in other chip development.
A Malaysia-born American citizen who grew up in Singapore, he is a venture capitalist, known for his expertise in the semiconductor industry.
In the latest news for investors this week, he said the company will expand its investment in manufacturing industries, including the U.S., to meet customer needs. Intel has laid off thousands of jobs this year, part of its efforts to the company’s “rightist”.
Intel’s shares fell more than 3% at noon after the Trump attack, which had previously criticized the company and was preparing to raise tariffs on the chip industry.
“Intel’s CEO is highly conflicting and must resign immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.” Trump wrote.
It is not illegal for Americans to invest in Chinese companies.
But since Trump’s first term, Washington has increased restrictions as it prompts business relations between the United States and China in terms of advanced technology, as both Democrats and Republicans are openly concerned about national security.
Trump’s attack raises concerns about Republican Senator Tom Cotton’s airing this week A letter For Intel’s board of directors, Mr. Tan’s “association raises questions about Intel’s capabilities” to become “the responsible steward of the U.S. taxpayer dollar and comply with applicable security regulations.”
Mr. Tan is the long-term CEO of technology company Cadence Design Systems, Cotton notes. In July, pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $140 million The U.S. alleges that its subsidiary in China repeatedly conducts business with the country’s National National University Technology Company, violating U.S. export controls.
Tan himself was not prosecuted.
In a statement earlier this week, Intel defended its relatively new CEO, saying Mr. Tan and the company were “deeply committed to the national security of the United States and the integrity of our role in the U.S. defense ecosystem.”
Patrick Moorhead, founder of Moore Insights and Strategy, said he believes Trump is taking advantage of Mr. Tan’s controversy with China to put pressure on Intel’s other issues on Intel. He pointed to potential disputes about Intel’s investment in the U.S. and reported on possible partnerships with White House-backed Taiwanese company TSMC.
“For me, there’s some negotiations in the two that Trump doesn’t like,” he said. “Trump probably saw, ‘Well, I’ve got a chance to heat up with Intel’.”
Trump is known for his goal of criticizing the public for his business leaders, as unheard of by other presidents. But even by his standards, the demands of leaders of private companies to resign are extraordinary.
Mr Moorhead said other tech executives who found themselves in the Trump Crosshair proposed a “kiss ring” approach, pointing to the promises of companies like Apple and Openai to make substantial investments in the U.S.
“Intel may have misunderstood the room because of how important it is to meet with the White House,” he said.
The White House said to critics that Trump has gone too far: “President Trump remains entirely committed to maintaining national and economic security in our country. This includes ensuring that iconic American companies in cutting-edge sectors are led by men and women Americans can trust.”
Mr. Tan’s connection to China has attracted much attention in his 2024 Congressional report, examining the connection between American investment companies and Chinese companies.
They were also the subject of a Reuters investigation in April, finding that he had invested at least $200 in hundreds of companies, some of which were linked to the Chinese military. These investments are made individually, or his funds are between 2012 and December 2024.
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, Trump’s allies, attacked Mr. Tan on Thursday, criticizing Intel for delays in U.S. chip manufacturing plans.
But the conflict with Trump could increase the company’s challenges currently facing.
“Intel has always wanted the U.S. to build more chip capabilities and work hard so far.” “It is important that we gain the continuity of leadership to support this capability improvement.”

Health & Wellness Contributor
A wellness enthusiast and certified nutrition advisor, Meera covers everything from healthy living tips to medical breakthroughs. Her articles aim to inform and inspire readers to live better every day.