Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang chose to skip President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, opting instead to celebrate Lunar New Year with employees in Taiwan and China. Huang told reporters in Taiwan on Friday that attending the company’s year-end party was a priority, stating it was his “opportunity to thank everyone” for their hard work. The festivities precede Lunar New Year, which begins on January 29.
During his 55-hour visit to Taiwan, Huang attended year-end celebrations at Nvidia and Wistron, a key Taiwanese supplier. He also hosted a strategic lunch with major tech leaders including TSMC Chairman CC Wei and Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, underscoring Taiwan’s critical role in the global tech supply chain. This meeting takes on added significance amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory. Huang’s itinerary also included personal stops at his regular hair salon, visits to night markets, and dinner at TSMC founder Morris Chang’s residence before departing for China on Sunday morning.
The visit sparked what locals call “Jensanity” — a phenomenon reflecting Huang’s celebrity status in Taiwan. The Taiwan-born executive was swarmed by media and fans seeking autographs throughout his visit. During a previous June 2024 trip, Huang received a rockstar’s reception, even signing one woman’s chest. His influence extends beyond business; one Taiwanese child dressed as Huang for Halloween, with the parent noting their 5-year-old knew he was “dressed as a very remarkable person.”
Nvidia dominates the AI chip market, a critical battleground in US-China technological competition. The company’s market capitalization has soared to $3.4 trillion, making it one of the world’s most valuable companies. Huang himself ranks as the 12th-richest person globally with an estimated net worth of $117 billion. Nvidia shares closed 3.1% higher on Friday, up 2.6% year-to-date and an impressive 131% over the past year.
While Huang celebrated in Asia, major US tech CEOs including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, and Shou Zi Chew prepared to attend Trump’s inauguration. Both Google and Meta donated $1 million each to the inauguration event. Huang previously stated he had not yet met Trump but would be “delighted” to receive an invitation to Mar-a-Lago. Nvidia declined to comment on whether the company or Huang donated to the inauguration.
Key Quotes
The year-end party is very important for us because the employees work so hard and it’s my opportunity to thank everyone.
Jensen Huang explained to reporters in Taiwan why he chose to skip Trump’s inauguration, emphasizing his commitment to celebrating Lunar New Year with Nvidia employees rather than attending the political event in Washington.
I would be delighted to get an invite to visit Mar-a-Lago.
Huang stated earlier this month that while he hadn’t yet met Trump, he would welcome an invitation to the president-elect’s Palm Beach resort, indicating openness to building a relationship with the incoming administration despite missing the inauguration.
Our Take
Huang’s Taiwan visit represents a masterclass in strategic prioritization for AI industry leaders. By choosing employee relations and supply chain diplomacy over political pageantry, he’s signaling that Nvidia’s success depends more on Asian manufacturing partnerships than Washington connections. This is particularly astute given that TSMC manufactures virtually all of Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI chips. The “Jensanity” phenomenon also reveals how AI chip leadership translates to cultural influence, with Huang achieving celebrity status typically reserved for entertainment figures. His ability to maintain strong relationships across the US-China divide while other tech leaders pick sides may prove crucial as geopolitical tensions escalate. As AI becomes increasingly central to national security and economic competitiveness, Huang’s diplomatic approach—celebrating with employees in Taiwan and China while expressing openness to Trump—demonstrates the complex navigation required of leaders in the AI chip industry.
Why This Matters
Huang’s decision to prioritize Taiwan over Trump’s inauguration carries significant implications for the AI industry and global tech landscape. His choice highlights the strategic importance of Taiwan in AI chip manufacturing, particularly as Nvidia relies heavily on TSMC for producing its industry-leading GPUs. The high-profile meetings with TSMC and Foxconn leadership underscore the interdependence of the AI supply chain at a time when US-China tensions threaten to disrupt semiconductor flows.
This story also reveals the delicate balancing act tech leaders must perform between American political expectations and Asian manufacturing realities. While other Silicon Valley executives court the incoming Trump administration, Huang’s focus on Taiwan and China demonstrates where Nvidia’s operational priorities lie. The company’s 131% stock surge over the past year reflects investor confidence in AI chip demand, making Nvidia’s supply chain relationships more critical than ever. As the AI boom continues driving unprecedented demand for advanced semiconductors, Huang’s diplomatic presence in Taiwan may prove more valuable than political networking in Washington, especially given ongoing debates about AI chip export restrictions and semiconductor manufacturing independence.
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