President Trump called for Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign Thursday, arguing he is “highly conflicted.”
“The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately,” he wrote on Truth Social. “There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!”
While he offered few details about his call for Tan to step aside, Trump’s post comes after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote to the semiconductor firm Tuesday about concerns with the CEO’s ties to China.
Reuters reported earlier this year that the Intel executive had investments in hundreds of Chinese tech firms, at least eight of which have ties to the Chinese military.
Cotton also voiced concerns Tuesday about his previous role as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, which pleaded guilty and paid $140 million last month for violating export controls by selling chip design technology to a Chinese military university.
“Intel is required to be a responsible steward of American taxpayer dollars and to comply with applicable security regulations,” the Arkansas senator wrote, underscoring the nearly $8 billion that Intel received as part of the CHIPS and Science Act.
“Mr. Tan’s associations raise questions about Intel’s ability to fulfill these obligations,” he added.
Intel’s stock dropped 2 percent in after-hours trading following Trump’s call for Tan to resign.
The Hill has reached out to Intel for comment.
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