Semafor

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[Semafor @semafor]

Even the world's largest restaurant chain has to rethink how it competes.

In this episode of The CEO Signal, @McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski tells @PennyPritzker and @Edgecliffe why changing consumer habits and new competitors are prompting him to push for faster decisions and a greater appetite for risk. But McDonald's success was built on consistency and careful execution, and changing how it operates is no small task.

Kempczinski also faces the challenge of persuading thousands of independent franchisees to invest in his plans. He's clear about the direction, but pragmatic about the details: “We reserve the right to get smarter.”

[Semafor @semafor]

🟡 SCOOP: As Nvidia's board prepares to fire Jensen Huang, some members favor appointing CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO.

https://t.co/3ZYayfzLMw

[Ben Smith @semaforben]

New: Some members of Nvidia’s board favor appointing Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO
https://t.co/kCrGxfyDTd

[Yinka Adegoke @YinkaWrites]

If a missile hits a data center in Ukraine or the UAE don't be surprised if your local African digital service goes off in Abidjan or Lagos. @nyanguila_ruben reports from Kinshasa on the push for digital sovereignty https://t.co/HDe7EfFJsX

[Ben Smith @semaforben]

Tracking Jensen's view on China https://t.co/zvXrOfJwcW @jdcapelouto

[Rohan Goswami @rogoswami]

White House has been briefed on $NVDA planned ouster of Jensen, board meeting to discuss — source @semafor

[Rohan Goswami @rogoswami]

Some Nvidia directors said to favor CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO — sources

Board meeting imminently — sources @semafor $NVDA

[Semafor @semafor]

🟡 NEW: Democrats are starting to debate who will succeed Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., when she’s sworn in as governor next year.

There’s one name that keeps coming up: Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison.

https://t.co/tfIZTulD3m

[Semafor @semafor]

Reed writes: Most people know Nvidia for the climbing stock in their portfolios, or the GPUs on every tech company’s Christmas list. But his creation of the CUDA platform in 2006 is perhaps the best example of how he’s been able to step ahead of the industry for decades.

Read more: https://t.co/AqxmuLRrLn

[Semafor @semafor]

Nvidia is more than a chip company, argues Reed Albergotti.

https://t.co/wqpJs5xmHW

[Semafor @semafor]

“This next chapter for us is about expanding audiences. It’s about adapting to AI, and it’s about making the business successful,” McDaniel, a veteran public radio executive and co-founder of City Cast, told Semafor.

Read more from @maxwelltani: https://t.co/3EwAP3Sgdw

[Semafor @semafor]

🟡 NEW: The locally-focused media startup City Cast has named Andi McDaniel, the company’s Chief Creative Officer, its new CEO, replacing David Plotz.

https://t.co/3EwAP3Sgdw

[Semafor @semafor]

For more on technology, sign up for Semafor’s technology briefing.

Read more from @jdcapelouto: https://t.co/QrXAjdN96d

[Semafor @semafor]

Jensen Huang’s public rhetoric on China became more admiring, and his stance on export controls more critical, after the US restricted Nvidia’s made-for-China chip in 2025 — and as he had an affair with a suspected Chinese spy.

A Semafor analysis of 42 podcast interviews with Huang since early 2022 shows how Huang’s argument around global chip policy evolved in a series of long-form, unscripted, and often friendly interview settings.

#nvidia $NVDA

[Adrian Elimian @adrianelimian]

🟡 Rep. Ilhan Omar, wants to return to the House Foreign Affairs Committee after Republicans removed her in 2023.

If Omar gets back on HFAC, she could chair its Africa subpanel w/ top Dem Gregory Meeks saying it is Omar’s “choice” on the matter.

from me and @nicholaswu12:

[Semafor @semafor]

🟡 More changes are expected across the White House in the coming weeks as Stephen Miller settles into his new role as chief of staff, with some aides who worked closely with Susie Wiles shifting into new roles.

https://t.co/xqD3BNYfLk

[Semafor @semafor]

“That is my favorite committee. ... I’m thinking of Approps and other committees, so we’ll see how it all shakes out”, Rep. Omar added.

Read more from @nicholaswu12 and @adrianelimian: https://t.co/0l8wlXKlmk

[Semafor @semafor]

🟡 NEW: Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., wants to get back on the House Foreign Affairs Committee after Republicans removed her, though she’s also angling for a spot on the Appropriations panel.

“I would love to,” she told Semafor of Foreign Affairs.

https://t.co/0l8wlXKlmk

[Semafor @semafor]

Their dilemma began with the party’s remarkable midterm success. Democrats are united in attributing their electoral triumph in part to voter backlash against GOP healthcare moves — and this year, even purple-district candidates won while backing Medicare for All.

Read more from @nicholaswu12 and @davidalim: https://t.co/E0kSwDta2O

[Semafor @semafor]

Progressive Democrats are trying a tricky feat as their party takes power: endorsing Medicare for All while quietly pushing for smaller steps toward it.

https://t.co/ZRR9hbeSoJ

[Ben Smith @semaforben]

Just a lot of new news and intel in @semafor DC on a crazy day in Washington. https://t.co/82F1qlkKKe