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Axios Communicators

A timeline that tracks communications after calls for Intel CEO Tan's resignation in August 2025. It begins with Sen. Tom Cotton's concern on Aug. 6 and President Trump's resignation call on Aug. 7. Intel responds with public statements and internal memos. On Aug. 11, Tan meets Trump, described as 

Communications timeline following call for Intel CEO's resignation 

Data: Axios research; Chart: Axios Visuals

Intel swiftly responded to President Trump calling for CEO Lip-Bu Tan's resignation — turning a potential governance crisis into opportunity. 

Why it matters: This is the new playbook for how to negotiate with Trump 2.0. 

How it started: Sen. Tom Cotton (R.-Ark.) wrote to Intel's board on Aug. 6 expressing concerns about what he said were "Tan's investments and ties to semiconductor firms that are reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army."

Traditionally, after a letter like this is sent, government affairs teams would engage directly with the congressional office to answer any questions and correct the record.  

However, the media received the note around the same time as Intel's board, according to sources familiar with the situation, creating a  domino effect.

What came next: The headlines prompted a Truth Social post from Trump calling for Tan's resignation.

Intel responded with a public statement the same day, declaring its commitment to "advancing U.S. national and economic security interests" and also referencing its alignment with the "President's America First agenda." 

Zoom in: Tan, who joined the company in March, sent an email to employees  — which was later posted on the company's website — to clear up the "misinformation circulating" about his work history and said he planned to engage with the administration to "address the matters." 

Zoom out: The next move was to meet with the administration to clear up confusion about Tan's work history and use the opportunity to explain the technological and manufacturing advantage Intel can provide for the U.S. semiconductor industry, says a source close to the planning.

"It was not matter of if we should get a meeting, but how quickly can we make it happen," the insider said. 

The following Monday, Tan sat down with Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Both Trump and Intel pushed out statements that signaled the meeting was amicable and successful. 

The intrigue: Three days after Tan's White House meeting, multiple news outlets reported that the U.S. government was considering taking an equity stake in the chipmaker.

On Friday, Intel announced it agreed to sell around a 10% equity stake to the U.S. government.

The investment will reportedly be used to help Intel prop up its domestic manufacturing ambitions, including a large hub planned for Ohio.

The U.S. government will not have board representation and it agreed to vote with the company's board on most matters requiring shareholder approval.

A line chart showing Intel's stock price from Aug. 6-25, 2025. On August 7, the price dropped a dollar to around $19.50 when Trump called for the CEO's resignation. It rebounded to just above $21 on August 11, when Trump praised the CEO after a private meeting. As of 9:45am August 25, the price is $25.16.

Intel stock price

Data: Financial Modeling Prep; Chart: Axios Visuals

By the numbers: Shares of Intel surged following the Trump meeting and continued to pop after reports of the government deal broke.

The stock is up more than 21% since Trump's initial Truth Social post on Aug. 7.

Context: The Intel deal comes just weeks after the Trump administration bought $400 million of preferred shares in rare earths miner MP Materials.

Meanwhile, the White House confirmed the U.S. government would take a 15% cut of revenue made from Nvidia H20 and AMD's MI308 chip sales to China.

Yes, but: China Select Committee Chair John Moolenaar is questioning the legality of this move citing national security concerns, reports Axios' Maria Curi.

What they're saying: "It's an unprecedented marriage of politics and private enterprise — difficult to imagine in practice, but important to consider in today's environment," says Paul Argenti, professor of corporate communications at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.

Moving forward, Intel must be very disciplined with its message, he said. "Every communication must link back to technology leadership and U.S. competitiveness — the strategic rationale that makes this partnership logical rather than political," he added.

What to watch: Lawmakers could hold hearings on this when they're back in September.

Trump draws GOP criticism on Nvidia AI chip deal

Intel seized the moment, but communication challenges loom

This is the new playbook for how to negotiate with Trump 2.0.

A timeline that tracks communications after calls for Intel CEO Tan's resignation in August 2025. It begins with Sen. Tom Cotton's concern on Aug. 6 and President Trump's resignation call on Aug. 7. Intel responds with public statements and internal memos. 

Big Tech

Donald Trump

Social Media

Stock market news

Intel swiftly responded to President Trump calling for CEO Lip-Bu Tan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resignation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-intel-ceo" data-vars-content-id="efe08fdc-cb0c-4bf8-892a-e2676a313ebc" data-vars-headline="Intel seized the moment, but communication challenges loom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-intel-ceo" target="_self">resignation</a> — turning a potential governance crisis into opportunity. Why it matters: This is the new playbook for how to negotiate with Trump 2.0.

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Intel seized the moment, but communication challenges loom

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