Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan pushes back against Trump’s resignation call, cites ‘misinformation’

Trump’s post on Truth Social on Thursday, urging Tan to step down over ‘conflicts of interest,’ has added fresh turbulence to a company already grappling with losses

Intel Corp Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan said he has the full support of the company’s board, marking his first response to US President Donald Trump’s call for his resignation over alleged conflicts of interest.

In a letter to staff posted on Intel’s website, Tan said he has reached out to the White House to address what he described as “misinformation” about his track record.

“I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security,” he told employees. “We are engaging with the Administration to address the matters that have been raised and ensure they have the facts.”

Trump’s post on Truth Social on Thursday, urging Tan to step down over “conflicts of interest,” has added fresh turbulence to a company already grappling with losses and the challenge of staying relevant in the artificial intelligence era.

The post followed a request earlier this week from Republican Senator Tom Cotton for Intel’s board chairman to explain Tan’s ties to China, including his investments in Chinese semiconductor firms and other entities linked to the country’s military.

“There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about my past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems,” Tan wrote.

“I want to be absolutely clear: Over 40+ years in the industry, I’ve built relationships around the world and across our diverse ecosystem – and I have always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards.”

(With inputs from Bloomberg)