Khanna’s Wife-Linked Trust Sold Nvidia Shares Before 30% Drop

A trust benefiting Ritu Ahuja, the wife of California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, sold Nvidia shares in two transactions before the company’s stock plunged amid a scandal involving its CEO. The sales were valued at $1,001 to $15,000 each, public filing records show.

The trust sold shares on September 4 and October 7. Nvidia reached a record high on October 6, one day before the second sale. Following allegations of Jensen Huang’s affairs, including one with a woman suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence, the stock fell about 30%. Huang resigned on Thursday, November 12, as CEO, president and a director.

Nvidia’s finance chief, Colette Kress, was appointed interim CEO, while veteran board member Harvey C. Jones became board chair as the company searches for a permanent chief executive. The company’s shares dropped as low as $148.83 on Thursday before rebounding to $164.98, still about 5% lower on November 12.

Khanna’s spokesperson said neither the congressman nor his staff received a briefing about Huang or counterintelligence risks involving Nvidia. Khanna, the top Democrat on a House committee focused on competition with China, said he had no knowledge of the episode before it became public and did not direct or influence trades. He has said an independent trustee manages a family trust established by his in-laws before he married.

The October filing also listed sales of other holdings, among them shares in Walmart, Adobe and Boston Scientific; the family bought Nvidia shares between June and September. The Nvidia transactions were a small part of the family’s investment portfolio. Khanna has backed legislation restricting stock investments by lawmakers and their families. Other members of Congress also disclosed Nvidia sales before the plunge.

Khanna’s Nvidia Trades Renew Questions About Congressional Stock Rules

A family-linked trust’s Nvidia sales are a reminder that disclosure alone does not resolve public concerns about congressional investing. The trust benefiting Ritu Ahuja, Rep. Ro Khanna’s wife, sold shares on September 4 and October 7, the day after Nvidia hit a record high. The transactions were each valued between $1,001 and $15,000.

Nvidia shares later fell about 30% amid allegations concerning CEO Jensen Huang, including one involving a woman suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence. Huang resigned on Thursday, November 12. The company made finance chief Colette Kress interim CEO and began looking for a permanent successor.

Khanna’s spokesperson said the congressman and his staff received no briefing about Huang or potential counterintelligence risks involving Nvidia. The spokesperson said Khanna had no knowledge of the episode before it became public and gave no direction on trades. Khanna says an independent trustee oversees a trust set up by his in-laws before he married.

Those statements matter, and the reported transactions do not establish that Khanna knew about the scandal. But a system that allows family portfolios to trade while lawmakers serve in office invites doubts that independent management alone can dispel. Khanna has supported legislation covering lawmakers, spouses and dependent children; the case underscores why meaningful restrictions and clear accountability matter.

Nvidia Sale Timing Demands Answers From Khanna

The timing is striking: a trust benefiting Rep. Ro Khanna’s wife sold Nvidia shares on October 7, one day after the stock reached an all-time high, before the shares fell about 30% amid a scandal that ended CEO Jensen Huang’s tenure. The sale was valued between $1,001 and $15,000.

The trust also sold Nvidia shares on September 4. Huang resigned on Thursday, November 12, following allegations of affairs, including one with a woman suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence. Nvidia made Colette Kress, its finance chief, interim CEO and started a search for a permanent replacement.

Khanna’s spokesperson says neither Khanna nor his staff received a briefing about Huang or counterintelligence concerns involving Nvidia, and that Khanna had no knowledge of the episode before it became public. The spokesperson also says Khanna did not direct or influence trades. Khanna says an independent trustee manages a trust set up by his in-laws before he married.

Those denials should be tested against the disclosures, not treated as a reason to wave away the timing. The trades do not prove advance knowledge, and the October filing included sales of other holdings. Still, Khanna is the top Democrat on a House committee focused on competition with China, making a full accounting especially important. His support for limits on lawmakers’ investments makes scrutiny of his own household’s arrangements unavoidable.