Nvidia’s Jensen Huang Resigns After Musk’s Earlier Reply to Hiring Suggestion

Huang steps down

Updated November 12, 2026, 10:48 a.m. Central.

Jensen Huang has resigned as Nvidia’s chief executive, president and board member, the chipmaker announced Thursday. The company named finance chief Colette Kress interim CEO while it searches for a permanent successor. The Associated Press independently reported the departure.

The announcement came after Elon Musk responded to a suggestion on X that he hire “Jensen.” Musk’s reply came before the resignation; it did not announce an offer or a job. Read Newstro’s full report on the Nvidia transition.

On Wednesday evening, Reuters reported that Nvidia’s board was meeting to decide whether to remove Huang, citing a person familiar with the matter. No decision had been publicly confirmed when this article was first published.

The meeting follows Nvidia’s announcement of an independent inquiry into reports that Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort. The Wall Street Journal separately reported that directors were preparing to remove him, Reuters said; the Washington Post also reported that the board would weigh his future, citing people familiar with the matter. These are accounts of private deliberations, not an announced vote.

Nvidia did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the meeting. Its November 8 board statement expressed confidence in Huang and said it had no reason to believe national security or company secrets had been compromised. That statement preceded the later reports and his resignation.

What Musk actually said

Amid the reports about Huang’s future, the account @zerohedge posted on X, “Elon please hire Jensen.” Musk replied, “That would be an honor.” The post did not give a surname or specify a job. Newstro reviewed the original exchange on X.

That would be an honor

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 11, 2026

It was a response to another account’s suggestion. Musk did not announce a job offer, identify a role or say that Huang had agreed to join any of his companies. Huang subsequently resigned; the exchange did not establish an agreement with Musk.

What is under investigation

Nvidia said on November 8 that independent directors, assisted by outside counsel, would oversee a review of reporting that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The Associated Press reported that Huang acknowledged an extramarital relationship with a business executive whom, according to the New York Times, U.S. intelligence determined was gathering information for Beijing.

Huang apologized to his family and colleagues in a letter to employees, according to AP. The board’s inquiry is ongoing; its statement that it had no reason to believe secrets were compromised is not a completed investigative finding. Being a reported target of an intelligence effort is not proof of wrongdoing by Huang.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported a separate relationship involving an Nvidia executive, Axios reported. That is separate reporting; the company’s November 8 statement did not address the later report.

Why it matters

Huang co-founded Nvidia and has led it for more than three decades. Its chips are widely used to train and run artificial intelligence systems, including by companies pursuing large-scale AI development. A leadership change at a supplier of that scale reaches far beyond one boardroom. Kress is serving on an interim basis; the search for a permanent successor has begun.

Newstro’s earlier coverage reported the opening of Nvidia’s inquiry. The company later confirmed Huang’s departure. The inquiry itself remains unresolved.

The timeline

Dates and times are Central. November 8: Nvidia announced an independent investigation and expressed confidence in Huang. November 11: Reuters reported that the board was meeting to decide whether to remove him; the Journal reported that directors were preparing to do so. Later Wednesday, Musk replied to a suggestion from @zerohedge that he hire “Jensen.” November 12: Nvidia announced that Huang had resigned, effective immediately, and named Kress interim CEO.

Sources and visual credits

Nvidia transition announcement · Associated Press on the resignation · Reuters via MarketScreener · The Washington Post · Nvidia board statement · Associated Press · Axios · @zerohedge on X · Musk’s reply.

Hero and thumbnail: conceptual editorial illustration of an empty chair and chip; not a photograph of Nvidia’s directors or meeting.