Why Donald Trump Asks For Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s Resignation? Explained

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Former US President Donald Trump is once again in the headlines, but this time for demanding the immediate resignation of Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan. His comments, made in a post on Truth Social, accuse Tan of having “conflicts of interest” due to alleged ties with China.  Also Read: Apple's Tim Cook Gifts Donald Trump A 24K Gold Corning Gorilla Glass Statue: Here's What It Means

In his post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.” Also Read: Operation Sindoor - INDIA Strikes Back With Full POWER! Are YOU Prepared?

Trump’s statement follows a letter from Senator Tom Cotton, who also raised concerns about Tan’s links to China. Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, questioned Tan’s investments in Chinese semiconductor companies, including some believed to have ties with the Chinese military.

He also pointed to Tan’s previous leadership at Cadence Design Systems, a company that pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating US export rules by selling tech to China’s National University of Defence Technology. Senator Cotton’s post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “U.S. companies who receive government grants should be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and adhere to strict security regulations.”

Intel Responds

In response to the growing criticism, Intel issued a brief statement saying that both the company and Lip-Bu Tan are “deeply committed to the national security of the United States.” Despite the statement, Intel’s stock dropped 5% in pre-market trading following Trump’s comments, reflecting investor concerns over the situation, Reuters reported.

Tan became Intel’s CEO in March 2025, taking over at a time when the chipmaker is facing tough competition from companies like Nvidia, especially in the AI and mobile chip space. Intel recently announced a 15% workforce cut as part of a company-wide restructuring.

It’s unclear how Intel will respond in the coming days, but Tan’s future at Intel may depend on how the company addresses the national security concerns being raised.