A petition calling on Nvidia’s board to reinstate Jensen Huang as chief executive has surpassed 120,000 signatures, according to organizers of the volunteer-run Stand With Jensen campaign. The petition began after Huang resigned on November 12 as president, CEO and board member, ending a 33-year leadership run. By November 14, signers included more than 65,000 self-reported shareholders, over 6,000 current employees, more than 1,100 former employees and about 47,000 other supporters.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on November 13 that he was signing the petition and supports Huang’s reinstatement. Other public names on the list include Amjad Masad, Gavin Baker and Tim Sweeney. Organizers say two large holders with more than $2 billion in Nvidia shares also signed. The petition asks the board to pause, hold a fair hearing, explain its decision and launch an independent investigation with a public scope and timeline.
Nvidia’s bylaws give the board alone the power to appoint or reinstate a CEO, and the board has not commented on the petition. Huang resigned after admitting to extramarital relationships; one was reportedly with a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy, and China called the claim completely groundless. Finance chief Colette Kress is acting CEO and retains her finance duties. The board has hired outside lawyers, including former federal prosecutor Joon H. Kim and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, for an independent inquiry. Nvidia shares closed November 12 about 11% below their November 6 level as Kress took over.
Prediction markets are tracking the leadership question: Kalshi gives Huang a 9% chance of returning, while Rene Haas leads at 26%. Nvidia still plans to report quarterly results on November 17. The leadership uncertainty has ripple effects across chipmaker shares, but its direct crypto market impact appears limited.
