Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has said it would be an “honor” to hire Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, fueling speculation about the chipmaker executive’s future as reports emerge that Nvidia’s board is considering his possible departure.
“That would be an honor,” Musk wrote on X late Wednesday in response to a post urging him to recruit Huang. The original post stated: “Elon please hire Jensen.”
Musk, who leads Tesla and founded SpaceX, did not specify whether he was considering Huang for a position at either company or identify any potential role. His brief response offered no indication of a formal job offer, recruitment discussions or negotiations between the two executives.
The exchange came after a report by *The Wall Street Journal* that Nvidia’s board was preparing to consider removing Huang from his leadership position. According to the newspaper, directors were planning to meet as early as Wednesday to discuss his future, citing people familiar with the matter.
The *Financial Times* separately reported that Nvidia’s board was expected to make a decision about Huang’s future following a controversy surrounding his alleged personal relationships and concerns about a possible foreign intelligence operation.
The reports have placed renewed attention on Huang’s position at the company he co-founded more than three decades ago. Nvidia has also announced an independent board investigation following allegations that Huang may have been targeted as part of a foreign intelligence effort.
The controversy involves reports of Huang’s alleged extramarital relationships with two women, including Alice Huang, a former executive at Mega Speed International who has been accused of being a Chinese spy, and another woman identified as a Nvidia employee.
The allegations have raised questions about potential security risks, corporate governance and the possible exposure of sensitive business information. However, the reported allegations and intelligence-related claims remain matters requiring independent verification, and no conclusion about Huang’s involvement in any espionage activity has been established.
The uncertainty surrounding Nvidia’s leadership triggered a sharp reaction in the company’s shares during after-hours trading on Wednesday.
Nvidia stock fell $14.95, or 8.61 percent, to $158.78 in after-hours trading, reversing much of its earlier gains. The shares had closed the regular trading session at $173.73, up $4.84, or 2.87 percent.
The market reaction reflects the importance investors attach to Huang’s leadership at a company that has become central to the global artificial intelligence industry. Nvidia’s graphics processing units and related computing technologies are widely used to develop and operate advanced AI systems, making the company one of the most influential players in the technology sector.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and has served as its president and chief executive officer since the company’s establishment, according to its annual report. He also sits on the company’s board of directors.
Under his leadership, Nvidia transformed from a graphics-chip manufacturer into a major supplier of advanced processors and computing infrastructure powering the global AI industry. Its rapid expansion has placed Huang among the most influential executives in the technology sector.
Nvidia’s strategic importance has also increased as the United States and China compete for leadership in artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing and advanced computing. The company’s products have become critical to technology firms, research institutions and governments seeking to expand their AI capabilities.
Any departure by Huang would therefore represent a significant leadership transition, potentially affecting investor confidence, corporate strategy and the company’s position in an increasingly competitive global semiconductor market.
Musk’s public response has added another dimension to the unfolding developments, although it remains unclear whether his comment was serious or simply an expression of admiration for Huang’s business leadership.
