A wave of internal unrest has hit Nvidia as employees launch a concerted effort to reinstate co-founder Jensen Huang following his sudden resignation. Internal communications reviewed by Wired reveal a workforce deeply divided between corporate governance and personal loyalty, with hundreds of staffers using a company suggestion box to plead for the return of the man who steered the chip giant since 1993. One anonymous employee summed up the sentiment by urging the board to bring back the boss if they truly believe in the company’s mission, while others argued that human error should not erase decades of transformative leadership.
The turmoil stems from a series of scandals involving reported extramarital affairs, including allegations linking Huang to a suspected Chinese intelligence asset and other subordinates. These revelations triggered a swift reaction from the board, leading to Huang’s departure and the appointment of CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO under new board chair Harvey Jones. Beyond the interpersonal drama, the fallout has been financially catastrophic, wiping out roughly one trillion dollars in market value and drawing intense scrutiny from the FBI and U.S. lawmakers over potential security risks and export controls.
Despite the severity of the allegations, many within the company remain steadfastly loyal to their former leader. A companywide email sent by one staffer demanded greater transparency regarding the exit process, arguing that fairness does not require distancing oneself from a leader whose vision defined their careers. This sentiment appears widespread among those who fear that Nvidia cannot maintain its industry dominance without its founder at the helm, claiming that the very identity of the firm is inextricably linked to Huang himself.
While day to day operations have continued relatively normally this week, there is growing frustration over how abruptly Huang was removed before formal investigations could be concluded. Many employees had hoped for a transparent inquiry and a chance to provide input on whether Huang should stay. As some supporters go so far as to frame his removal as a failure of national proportion given his role in building American technology, Nvidia continues to navigate a precarious balance between moral accountability and the stability provided by its visionary creator.