More than 5,000 Nvidia employees join 100,000-strong petition demanding Jensen Huang's return

WASHINGTON, DC: Jensen Huang's sudden departure from Nvidia has prompted an unusually large show of support from people associated with the chipmaker, with self-identified employees, former staff and shareholders questioning the circumstances surrounding his exit.

A public campaign asking the company’s board to bring back its co-founder has gathered momentum, attracting signatories who say they work at the company, as well as outside supporters.

Nvidia staff and more rally behind Jensen Huang

An online open letter demanding Huang's return as Nvidia's chief executive has crossed the 100,000-signature mark, according to the campaign’s counter, with over 5000 thousand people identifying themselves as current employees joining the campaign.

The petition, hosted on 'Stand With Jensen', is continuing to attract names, with its live counter increasing by the minute.

The signatories include self-identified current and former Nvidia employees, shareholders and other supporters.

The campaign's central demand is that the board reinstate Huang while an independent investigation establishes the facts surrounding the controversy that preceded his resignation.

Addressed directly to Nvidia’s board members, the letter makes the case for the founder’s long association with the company.

It credits Huang with building Nvidia over 33 years, taking risks on technologies that much of the industry initially dismissed and creating a workplace where employees were encouraged to pursue ambitious ideas.

The petitioners argue that Huang was forced out without being given what they consider a fair and transparent process.

They further argue that no conclusive evidence has established that the woman at the center of the controversy was a spy, saying unverified suspicions or personal associations should not be enough to end Huang's leadership at Nvidia.

The letter sets out multiple demands: Huang’s reinstatement while the inquiry is underway, a fair opportunity for him to respond to the allegations and a timely public explanation from the board about the concerns and evidence behind its decision.

It also asks directors to disclose the investigation’s scope, independence and expected timeline.

The campaign makes clear that it is not asking the board to exempt Huang from accountability.

“Jensen deserves due process, not mob justice,” the letter states.

Elon Musk has also publicly backed the push for Huang’s return.

On November 13, the Tesla and SpaceX chief wrote on X: “A petition is underway to reinstate Jensen and I’m signing it too.”

He had earlier responded to a suggestion that he hire Huang, saying it would be “an honor.”

Huang's exit shakes Nvidia leadership

Nvidia's announcement on November 12 marked the sudden end of Jensen Huang's 33-year association with the company.

The co-founder stepped down as president, CEO and board member with immediate effect, leaving behind the business he helped build in 1993 and turn into a global powerhouse in graphics processing and artificial intelligence chips.

With Huang gone, Nvidia turned to its longtime finance chief to take charge during the leadership vacuum.

Colette Kress, who joined the company in 2013, was appointed interim CEO while the board begins its search for a permanent replacement.

The departure came after reports about Huang's alleged extramarital relationships attracted scrutiny.

Alice Huang, a woman whose name surfaced in connection with the controversy, has also faced allegations of possible links to Chinese intelligence. However, those claims remain unproven and have not been established as fact.

The developments followed Nvidia's November 8 announcement that it would launch an independent probe into reports suggesting its founder had been targeted in a foreign intelligence operation.

Huang had agreed to assist the investigation, according to Nvidia's statement.

His exit just days after the probe was announced has since raised questions about what prompted the sudden leadership change and whether the inquiry played a role in the board's decision.