Former President Donald Trump has called for Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign immediately, alleging what he described as a major conflict of interest. This demand was posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, where he claimed there is “no other solution to this problem,” putting pressure on both the executive and the company’s board.

The controversy comes just months after Lip-Bu Tan took the helm of Intel in March, attempting to lead the tech giant through a challenging turnaround period after declining sales under the previous CEO. The situation escalated when Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel’s board raising concerns about Tan’s reported connections to Chinese companies, some of which are believed to have links with the Chinese Communist Party and military.

These political concerns are particularly significant given the current environment, with U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration eager to strengthen domestic semiconductor production. Senator Cotton questioned whether Tan’s background and alleged connections could impact Intel’s obligations related to a recent $8 billion grant the company received under the CHIPS Act, which is meant to bolster U.S. chip manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

The market responded swiftly to the political pressure, with Intel shares sinking nearly 5% in premarket trading on a day when most other chip stocks saw gains.

Intel has yet to issue an official response to the resignation demand or to the specific concerns raised about Tan’s background. The company faces mounting scrutiny, not only about its executive leadership but also its ability to reassure lawmakers and investors of its independence at a time when technology supply chains and national security remain in sharp focus.