[DigitalToday intern reporter Seungah Yoo] U.S. President Donald Trump publicly defended Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang, who is facing a private-life controversy and allegations of involvement with Chinese intelligence agencies.

On Nov. 8, Business Insider reported that Trump described Huang as an "honorable person" and said he should continue as Nvidia's CEO.

The controversy erupted after Huang acknowledged wrongdoing toward his wife in a memo sent to employees that day. Huang apologised, saying his actions hurt his wife and children, and said he would take full responsibility. He also said Nvidia's board had launched an independent investigation over recently raised national security concerns and added that he would fully cooperate.

Trump defended Huang when asked whether U.S. intelligence authorities should have responded earlier if they had identified the suspicions in advance. "I think he's an honorable person," Trump said. "There may be reasons. We have to hear the story." Trump said he had not spoken directly with Huang about the matter, but said Huang has "done amazing things" for the United States.

Nvidia's board said in a separate statement it has found no basis so far to conclude that national security or company secrets have been leaked. It said it would review all related information and conduct an independent investigation. Huang is also cooperating with the probe, it added.

The matter extends beyond Huang's private life and intersects with U.S. semiconductor export curbs on China. In late October, the New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence agencies assessed Huang had become a target of Chinese spy operations. The report said Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang is a buyer of Nvidia chips and was believed to have passed information to Beijing after building a close relationship with Huang. The two were reported not to be related.

U.S. intelligence authorities were reported to have believed Alice Huang tried to wield influence to supply Nvidia's advanced semiconductors to China and to collect related information. Jensen Huang previously described his relationship with Alice Huang as a "normal" business relationship. In the memo to employees, however, he only acknowledged an affair and did not disclose the other person's identity.

Jensen Huang has also exerted significant influence in Washington in discussions over semiconductor export curbs on China. He has said that if U.S. chip sales restrictions are too strict, it could instead accelerate the growth of Chinese rivals. Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment on the matter.