Trump Praises Intel CEO, Shares Boost in Stock Prices

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump recently commended Lip-Bu Tan, the CEO of Intel, after previously calling for his resignation. This shift in sentiment followed a meeting at the White House where the two engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing U.S. leadership in technology and manufacturing.

In the lead-up to Tan's visit, Trump had expressed dissatisfaction with Intel's performance under Tan's leadership. However, the meeting appeared to have had a positive impact, as Intel's stock price rose by 3.5% on Monday, and continued to climb by an additional 2% in after-hours trading.

During the gathering, which also included U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the specifics of the discussions were not disclosed. Trump mentioned that his cabinet would spend more time with Tan in the coming weeks to explore proposals for bolstering the company's contributions to the U.S. economy.

Tan, who took the helm at Intel in March 2025, has faced challenges as the company has reported financial losses. His prior experience includes serving on Intel's board from 2022 to 2024 and leading Cadence Design Systems from 2008 to 2021, a company specializing in software for chip development.

In a related context, Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Texas, has raised concerns regarding Tan's connections to Chinese semiconductor firms. Cotton's inquiries highlighted potential ties between these companies and the Chinese Communist Party, particularly in light of Cadence's recent legal issues involving the export of technology to China.

Cotton's scrutiny prompted Trump to renew his calls for Tan's resignation. In response, Tan issued a statement reassuring his employees of his commitment to ethical standards and his dedication to Intel and the United States. He acknowledged the existence of misinformation regarding his previous affiliations but refrained from explicitly addressing the allegations.

Following the White House meeting, Tan's visit symbolizes a potential reconciliation between Intel's leadership and the former president, indicating a strategic shift in how the company may navigate the current political landscape.