Silicon Valley Is Still Defending Jensen Huang

Nvidia employees and tech insiders never thought the chip king would lose his job. Despite his sudden resignation, many of them are still in denial.

By Paresh Dave | November 12, 2026

When Jensen Huang abruptly stepped down as CEO of Nvidia in early November 2026, the news sent shockwaves through the tech world. Yet in the weeks since, a striking pattern has emerged: much of Silicon Valley is still rushing to his defense. Employees, investors, and longtime industry allies continue to insist that Huang’s departure was not a fall from grace but a temporary setback—or even a strategic move.

A resignation that no one saw coming

Huang, who built Nvidia into the world’s most valuable semiconductor company and the backbone of the AI boom, resigned on November 5, 2026, citing personal reasons. The announcement came just days after Nvidia reported record quarterly revenue of $58 billion, driven by demand for its Blackwell and Rubin GPUs. Few inside the company believed the official explanation.

“Everyone I know at Nvidia is treating this like a sabbatical, not a resignation,” said one senior engineer who asked not to be named. “Jensen is Nvidia. The idea that he would just walk away—it doesn’t compute.”

Denial in the valley

In the weeks following the resignation, prominent tech figures have publicly downplayed its significance. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen called it “a pause, not a period.” Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt suggested Huang might be “recharging for a larger role.” Even some Nvidia board members have privately expressed hope that Huang could return in an advisory capacity.

The sentiment reflects a broader reluctance to accept that the AI industry’s most visible leader—a man who has become synonymous with the GPU revolution—could be sidelined. In a year when AI infrastructure spending is projected to exceed $500 billion globally, Huang’s absence leaves a symbolic void that few are ready to acknowledge.

The stakes for Nvidia and the AI economy

Nvidia’s stock dipped 8% in the days after the announcement but has since recovered most of its losses. Analysts remain divided on whether the company can maintain its dominance without Huang at the helm. His successor, longtime Nvidia executive Colette Kress, has moved quickly to reassure partners, but questions linger about the company’s long-term strategy.

For now, Silicon Valley seems content to wait—and to keep defending the chip king, even as the throne sits empty.

This article originally appeared in Wired.

via Wired AI