November 13, 2026 4:22 pm

Did Payments by Huang’s Nvidia Influence Trump’s Policy on Chip Exports to China?

While correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation, there is a correlation.

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President Donald Trump greets Jensen Huang outside the West Wing of the White House following a meeting on artificial intelligence in Washington, D.C., September 29, 2026.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Nvidia’s $26 million in Trump-linked donations raises serious questions about corporate influence over national security policy.

Considering that President Trump has ushered in a Golden Age of Pay to Play, the corruption aspect of the scandal is apt to be more consequential than the salacious aspects of departing chip magnate ’s dalliances with a Chinese spy and a subordinate.

There are three salient transactions here at issue. Let’s look at them chronologically, since they are entwined with what developed into a close relationship between Huang and Trump.

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.

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Key Takeaways

Nvidia’s $26 million in Trump-linked donations raises serious questions about corporate influence over national security policy.
Looser chip-export restrictions could strengthen China’s AI capabilities while enriching an American company seeking presidential favor.

There are three salient transactions here at issue. Let’s look at them chronologically, since they are entwined with what developed into a close relationship between Huang and Trump.

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.