Washington — US President Donald Trump intensified his public assault on corporate America on Thursday, demanding the immediate resignation of Intel chief executive Lip-Bu Tan over what he described as “deeply compromising” business ties to Chinese technology firms, some allegedly linked to Beijing’s military-industrial complex.
The attack marks an extraordinary breach of traditional political restraint, with a sitting president directly ordering the ouster of a major corporate leader. Trump demands resignation of intel CEO over deep ties to Chinese military-linked tech firms, laying out the full scope of allegations. Trump accused Tan of undermining national security by maintaining investment connections to companies involved in China’s advanced surveillance and semiconductor industries, sectors already under heavy scrutiny amid the escalating technology rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Lip-bu Tan, who took the helm at Intel in March 2025, has faced growing criticism from hawkish lawmakers, most notably Senator Tom Cotton, over his tenure at Cadence Design Systems. That company recently pleaded guilty to illegally exporting sensitive software to a Chinese military university, agreeing to pay more than $140 million in penalties. Critics argue that Tan’s leadership record raises fundamental questions about his ability to safeguard America’s technological and security interests.
The announcement sent Intel’s shares tumbling by nearly 3% in premarket trading, reflecting investor anxiety not just over Tan’s future but also over potential policy shifts that could disrupt the semiconductor giant’s recovery strategy. Industry analysts noted that Trump’s intervention, coupled with his ongoing trade war threats, could further destabilize relations between Silicon Valley and the white house.
Inside Intel, the controversy has exposed deep divisions on the company’s board. According to people familiar with the matter, Tan and board chairman Frank Yeary have clashed over whether Intel should retain its semiconductor foundry business or pursue a sell-off, possibly to foreign partners like Taiwan’s TSMC. These disputes, now playing out under the glare of presidential condemnation, threaten to derail the firm’s already delicate turnaround plan.
For Trump, the confrontation fits a broader pattern of targeting business leaders whose strategies he views as insufficiently aligned with his “America First” agenda, a doctrine critics say masks an increasingly authoritarian approach to economic governance. The president has previously attacked corporate executives over environmental policies, offshore manufacturing, and perceived disloyalty to American geopolitical objectives.
Intel’s official response was measured but defiant. In a brief statement, the company said it “remains committed to protecting US national security” and that Tan is “fully engaged with the administration to address any concerns.” Tan himself insisted that he is cooperating with government officials to provide clarity, though he stopped short of addressing Trump’s demand directly.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the president’s call for Tan’s resignation coincides with intensifying political and financial pressure on the semiconductor industry as Washington hardens its stance on Chinese tech. The report outlines both the market impact of Trump’s remarks and the internal boardroom battles that could shape Intel’s future direction.
