US President Donald Trump has suggested that Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook should replace Jensen Huang as the next chief executive of Nvidia, following Huang’s sudden resignation from the AI chipmaker. Trump made the suggestion in a post on his Truth Social platform on November 12, praising both executives and describing Cook as the person who could take over the leadership of one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
Trump’s remarks have added an unexpected name to the discussion about Nvidia’s leadership transition. However, there is no indication that Cook is being considered by Nvidia’s board or that he intends to leave Apple. Nvidia has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO and said it will consider both internal and external candidates before selecting a permanent successor.
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Replace Jensen Huang
Trump publicly backed Cook shortly after Nvidia announced Huang’s resignation.
In his Truth Social post, the US president wrote that there was “only one man” who could take Huang’s place, naming Tim Cook and adding, “A Legend replaces a Legend!”
Trump also praised Huang’s performance at Nvidia, despite the circumstances surrounding the leadership change.
The suggestion is notable because Cook is no longer Apple’s chief executive. He stepped down from the position on September 1, 2026, after leading the company for 15 years. John Ternus succeeded him as Apple CEO, while Cook moved into the role of executive chairman of Apple’s board.
Cook continues to play an important role in Apple’s leadership, particularly in corporate governance and relationships with international policymakers.
Neither Cook nor Apple immediately commented on Trump’s suggestion. Nvidia has also not indicated that Cook is part of its succession process.
Why Jensen Huang Left Nvidia
Nvidia announced on November 12 that Huang had resigned as president, CEO and a member of the company’s board, effective immediately.
Huang had led Nvidia for approximately 33 years, transforming it from a graphics-chip manufacturer into a central supplier of processors and computing systems used in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
His departure follows reports concerning alleged personal relationships involving a Chinese businesswoman and a senior Nvidia executive. US authorities have reportedly raised concerns about the businesswoman’s alleged links to Chinese intelligence.
These claims have attracted attention because Nvidia’s advanced AI chips are strategically important to the United States and are subject to export restrictions governing sales to China.
The allegations should be distinguished from established findings. Nvidia has not publicly confirmed that company secrets or national security information were compromised, and the claims involving alleged espionage have not been conclusively established.
The circumstances surrounding Huang’s resignation have also drawn attention from US lawmakers, who are seeking further information about the potential national security implications.
Nvidia Appoints Colette Kress as Interim CEO
Following Huang’s departure, Nvidia’s board appointed longtime CFO Colette Kress as interim chief executive.
Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013 and has overseen the company’s financial operations through a period of substantial growth in demand for AI processors.
Before joining Nvidia, she held senior finance positions at several major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft. She previously spent nearly 25 years working in finance roles across the technology industry.
Kress will continue serving as Nvidia’s chief financial officer while taking on the interim CEO responsibilities. The company has not announced how long the interim arrangement will remain in place.
Nvidia also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever board chair. Jones, an experienced technology executive and investor, previously served as CEO and executive chairman of Synopsys.
The board has confirmed that it will consider candidates from inside and outside the company for the permanent CEO position.
Who Could Replace Jensen Huang at Nvidia?
While Trump has publicly endorsed Cook, the succession process is expected to involve candidates with direct experience in semiconductor technology, AI infrastructure and large-scale corporate management.
Several names have emerged in discussions about Nvidia’s next leader.
| Potential candidate | Current or former position | Relevant experience |
|---|---|---|
| Colette Kress | Nvidia CFO and interim CEO | Finance, corporate operations and investor relationships |
| Ian Buck | Nvidia Vice President of Hyperscale and High-Performance Computing | AI computing, GPU technology and CUDA development |
| Rene Haas | CEO of Arm | Semiconductor industry leadership and previous Nvidia experience |
| Pat Gelsinger | Former Intel CEO | Semiconductor design, manufacturing and corporate leadership |
| Lisa Su | AMD CEO | Chip development and leadership of a major Nvidia competitor |
| Tim Cook | Apple Executive Chairman | Global business operations, supply chains and corporate leadership |
The candidates bring different backgrounds, and their inclusion in media discussions does not mean Nvidia has formally shortlisted them.
Why Ian Buck and Colette Kress Are Being Discussed
Kress offers extensive knowledge of Nvidia’s finances, operations and relationships with investors. Her appointment as interim CEO also gives her immediate responsibility for maintaining continuity while the board searches for a permanent leader.
Ian Buck represents a different type of candidate. He joined Nvidia in 2004 and helped develop CUDA, the software platform that enabled the company’s graphics processors to become widely used for general-purpose computing and AI workloads.
His technical background and experience working with major customers could be relevant as Nvidia continues expanding its AI computing business.
Other potential names include Arm CEO Rene Haas, former Intel chief Pat Gelsinger and AMD CEO Lisa Su. Each would bring a different combination of semiconductor experience and executive leadership.
Why Tim Cook Would Be an Unusual Choice
Cook has extensive experience managing a global technology company, but his career has been centred on consumer electronics, supply chains, services and international business operations rather than semiconductor engineering.
During his 15-year tenure as Apple’s CEO, he oversaw the expansion of its product ecosystem and services business, while strengthening its global manufacturing and supply-chain operations.
His experience managing a large multinational company could explain why Trump views him as a possible candidate. However, running Nvidia would involve a different set of strategic priorities, including AI accelerator development, semiconductor partnerships, software platforms and relationships with major cloud providers.
Cook also remains closely involved with Apple as executive chairman. There is no confirmed indication that he wants to take another full-time CEO position or that Apple is considering a change to his current role.
Trump’s endorsement should therefore be understood as a public suggestion rather than an announcement of a potential appointment.
The Bigger Picture
Nvidia’s leadership transition comes at a critical time for the global technology industry. The company is a central supplier of AI computing hardware, and its products are used by major cloud providers, technology companies and research organisations.
A permanent CEO will need to maintain Nvidia’s relationships with customers and manufacturing partners while overseeing its investments in AI chips, networking systems and software. The next leader will also face questions about export controls, competition and the company’s position in the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market.
The succession decision matters beyond Nvidia because the company’s leadership and strategic direction can influence investment decisions across the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries.
Looking Ahead
Nvidia’s board has begun the search for a permanent successor, with Colette Kress continuing as interim CEO during the process. Although Trump has named Tim Cook as his preferred choice, neither Nvidia nor Cook has indicated that an appointment is being discussed. The board’s decision will ultimately determine who leads the company after Huang’s departure.
Investors and industry observers will be watching for further announcements about the succession process and Nvidia’s upcoming financial results. The company is scheduled to report its fiscal third-quarter 2027 results on November 17, 2026. Its ability to maintain operational continuity during the leadership change will be an important focus as the AI infrastructure market continues to expand.
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