Bessent presses Lutnick over failure to flag Nvidia customer for security risks

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confronted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the Commerce Department's failure to list Megaspeed, an Nvidia customer, among companies posing national security risks. This confrontation occurred during a White House Situation Room meeting on Thursday following the midterm elections. Bessent questioned Lutnick about the omission, to which Lutnick stated he would investigate the matter. The scrutiny intensifies due to revelations concerning Nvidia CEO Jensen Huan's relationship with Megaspeed employee Alice Huang, who is suspected of being a Chinese spy. Officials within the White House and intelligence community have reportedly urged Lutnick and his senior staff to take action against Megaspeed since the fall of 2025, but these requests were reportedly ignored until Bessent intervened. The situation highlights the critical role Nvidia's AI chips play in developing advanced technologies, including those relevant to warfare and cyberattacks.