Another billionaire appears to have stepped in it.
For years, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has been treated like some kind of corporate saint. Brilliant entrepreneur. Visionary leader. Devoted husband of more than 40 years. One of the good guys.
Now the Financial Times is reporting that U.S. intelligence believes Huang had a romantic relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Nvidia disputes the characterization, and the allegations remain unproven.
But holy hell, the irony.
Remember when Huang signed a woman’s top across her breasts at a technology conference? The internet practically swooned. What a fun guy! What a legend! Imagine a female CEO autographing a man’s crotch and watching Wall Street celebrate her quirky personality.
The endless mythology surrounding these men is nauseating. Their wealth is treated as proof of intelligence, their intelligence as proof of character, and their long marriages as proof of virtue.
Meanwhile, women are expected to demonstrate impeccable judgment, spotless reputations, and superhuman competence just to be considered qualified for the same jobs.
And the minute one of these supposedly exceptional men becomes the subject of serious allegations, we’re reminded that we shouldn’t rush to judgment.
Funny how that courtesy is so selectively distributed. Jensen Huang is supposed to be one of the GOOD guys.
Lord help us if this is the standard.
And after Tuesday’s blue wave, it appears Americans are finally getting tired of the billionaire worship, the hypocrisy, and the endless expectation that the rest of us should bow before men simply because they’ve accumulated obscene amounts of money.