Trump Says Nvidia Should Hire Tim Cook After Jensen Huang Resigns
President Donald Trump said Tim Cook, Apple's former CEO, should replace Jensen Huang at Nvidia after Huang resigned over reports of affairs. Nvidia has named Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress interim CEO while its board searches inside and outside the company for a permanent successor.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday, November 12, that Nvidia should hire Tim Cook to lead the company after chief executive Jensen Huang resigned. Cook is the former CEO of Apple. Trump made the suggestion in a post on Truth Social.
"NOW THAT Nvidia CEO JENSEN HUANG, who has done a fantastic job, has resigned, there is only one man to take his place - TIM COOK of Apple. A Legend replaces a Legend!" Trump wrote.
Who is running Nvidia now
Huang quit on Thursday morning. Nvidia named Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress interim CEO while its board looks for a permanent successor. The board is considering candidates from inside and outside the company.
Huang co-founded the artificial intelligence chipmaker in 1993. His exit follows reports of two extramarital affairs.
One involved a Chinese businesswoman whom U.S. authorities suspect of spying for Beijing. Nvidia has not said whether it will seek a CEO with any particular background.
Cook's position at Apple
Cook stepped down as Apple's CEO in September after 15 years in the job. He now serves as the iPhone maker's executive chairman.
Trump did not say whether Cook has shown any interest in running Nvidia. It is unclear whether Trump has contacted him about the idea.
Security questions around the allegations
The reports have raised questions about whether Huang could have been targeted by Chinese intelligence. Nvidia sits at the center of the global AI industry, and the U.S. and China are in an ongoing dispute over advanced chips.
The alleged relationship has also fueled concern about foreign efforts to reach sensitive information at one of America's most strategically important technology companies. No evidence has been publicly established, however, that Huang disclosed confidential information or that the woman obtained Nvidia secrets.
Trump's earlier defense of Huang
Trump had defended Huang days earlier. Speaking to reporters at a White House press conference on Monday, he said he believed Huang's account that he knew nothing about the woman's alleged intelligence ties.
"I really believe him," Trump said. "I think that he'll be in good shape."
Huang and the White House have stayed close since the start of Trump's second term. Trump invited Huang to join the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his official visit to China in May. He reportedly did so despite concerns about Huang's relationship with the woman.
The Nvidia board has not named a timetable for choosing a permanent CEO. Kress will lead the company in the meantime.
