Trump raises concerns over Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's China ties; calls him "conflicted" and wants him to ....

Donald Trump

Former US President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, calling him “highly conflicted” and stating that there is “no other solution” to the issue. The call, made via Trump’s Truth Social account on August 7, follows a letter from Senator Tom Cotton to Intel’s board chair, raising national security concerns about Tan’s alleged ties to Chinese firms.

Trump’s post sparks market reaction

“The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The post triggered a swift response from the market, with Intel shares falling 5% in premarket trading shortly after.

Tan was appointed CEO of Intel in March 2025, taking over during a challenging period for the company, which has faced declining sales and competitive pressure from global rivals.

Senator Cotton’s letter raises concerns

Trump’s comments come just days after US Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel’s board chair. In the letter, Cotton raised concerns about Tan’s past leadership at Cadence Design Systems and his investments in Chinese tech companies.

According to Reuters, Cotton expressed “concern about the security and integrity of Intel’s operations and its potential impact on US national security.”

He also questioned whether Intel’s board was aware of “subpoenas sent to Cadence Design during Tan’s tenure as CEO,” and whether Tan had been asked to divest “from Chinese chip firms linked to the Chinese military or Communist Party.”

Intel stays silent amid political scrutiny

As of now, Intel has not issued a public response to either Trump’s demand or Senator Cotton’s letter. There is no confirmation of any official investigation into Tan, nor any evidence of legal wrongdoing.

Still, with Trump’s direct intervention and bipartisan focus on China-related tech risks, pressure may mount on Intel’s leadership to address the concerns, even if only through clarification or disclosure.