Taiwan Can't Believe Jensen Huang Is Being Called a Spy — and His Barber Is Telling Everyone Why

Taiwan has reacted with sympathy and disbelief to reports that Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation, with the island's people rallying around the leather-jacketed chip boss they call a hero.

jajoy39

Nov 10, 2026 - 22:25

0 5

Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, speaking on stage in a black leather jacket at a crowded Taipei event, with the Nvidia logo visible behind him and audience members in the foreground.

Taiwan Can't Believe Jensen Huang Is Being Called a Spy — and His Barber Is Telling Everyone Why

In Taipei, the man who cuts Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang's hair has become an unlikely spokesman for an island's disbelief.

"He's a hero in Taiwan, right?" Ray Wang, 45, told Reuters at his Taipei barber shop, where he has trimmed the chip boss's distinctive silver hair during his visits. "A person like that shouldn't have to endure such treatment."

The people of Taiwan have reacted to reports that Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation with sympathy and disbelief, rallying around a man the island sees as one of its most successful sons.

A hero's welcome, every time

Huang, 62, has been feted as a hero in his ancestral homeland, where the "Jensanity" phenomenon has reached fever pitch, with ordinary people lining up to sample dishes he has recommended and clamouring for his signature and selfies on his visits.

That adulation was on display again on Monday, when the man who cuts Huang's hair and a local shopkeeper offered their views on the controversy swirling around the Nvidia chief.

Hsiao Kui-yu, 74, a shopkeeper who sells food near the barber shop, told Reuters she was stunned by the reports. "How could he be a spy? He's American now," she said. "When he visits Taiwan, people are so happy, they take photos with him. He's like a superstar."

Huang has visited Taiwan at least three times this year, each time drawing crowds. He has also been a vocal advocate for the island, saying it should be proud of its chip industry and that it is "the land of the AI industrial revolution."

What the reports say

The New York Times reported last month that US authorities had concluded that a Chinese businesswoman, Alice Huang, was a Chinese intelligence asset who passed information to Beijing while developing a close relationship with Huang. Reuters could not independently verify the intelligence allegation, which China has denied.

Nvidia's board has launched an independent investigation into the reports. The company has said it has no reason to believe national security information or trade secrets were compromised.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the FBI was also looking into the matter, but he did not provide further details. Without commenting directly on Alice Huang, Huang acknowledged on Sunday being unfaithful to his wife, but said he was committed to supporting US national security.

Taiwan's official voice

Taiwan's government has also weighed in. Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told reporters on Monday that Huang's situation was "a matter of concern" and that Taiwan would continue to support him.

"We believe that Mr. Huang is a person of integrity," Chen said. "We will continue to support him and hope that the matter will be clarified as soon as possible."

The controversy has also weighed on Nvidia's shares. Forbes estimated Huang's net worth at $162.2 billion on Friday, before the stock fell on Monday to around $154.7 billion, according to the magazine's real-time billionaires tracker.