US President Donald Trump on Thursday demanded the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, citing national security concerns over his alleged business connections in China.
“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 his social media platform, Truth Social.
Senator Tom Cotton Raises National Security Alarms
Trump’s comments came in response to a letter sent earlier by Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary. The letter expresses serious concerns about Lip-Bu Tan’s alleged business ties to Chinese companies and potential threats to U.S. national security.
“In March 2025, Intel appointed Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO. Mr. Tan reportedly controls dozens of Chinese companies and has a stake in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms. At least eight of these companies reportedly have ties to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” Senator Cotton stated in the letter.
CHIPS Act Funding Under Scrutiny
Senator Cotton also raised issues surrounding Intel’s $8 billion grant under the CHIPS and Science Act, pointing out that the funding places added responsibility on the company to safeguard U.S. interests. He emphasized that Mr. Tan’s background could jeopardize this obligation.
“Mr. Tan was most recently the CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a company that makes electronic design automation (EDA) technology, which is a key enabler of advanced chip design. Last week, Cadence pleaded guilty to illegally selling its products to a Chinese military university and transferring its technology to an associated Chinese semiconductor company without obtaining licenses. These illegal activities occurred under Mr. Tan’s tenure,” the letter continued.
Cotton’s letter concluded with three key questions for Intel’s board, asking whether they were aware of subpoenas to Cadence before Tan’s appointment, if they required Tan to divest from Chinese firms linked to the Chinese Communist Party, and whether any of Tan’s existing ties were disclosed to the U.S. government.
The letter asks for a formal response by August 15, 2025.