US President Donald Trump has backed former Apple CEO Tim Cook to replace Jensen Huang at Nvidia, putting forward an unexpected successor for the AI chipmaker following Huang's resignation as its board searches for a permanent leader.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Huang, who resigned as Nvidia's CEO and board member, and said Cook should take his place.
'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.
The endorsement is notable given the different businesses the two executives have led. Cook spent 15 years as Apple's CEO before stepping down on 1 September and becoming the company's executive chairman. Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led its transformation into a leading supplier of chips powering artificial intelligence systems.
Trump's suggestion does not amount to an appointment, and Nvidia has not indicated that Cook is under consideration. The company has named its chief financial officer, Colette Kress, as interim CEO while its board searches for a permanent successor, considering both internal and external candidates.
Why Trump Has Put Cook Forward
Cook has maintained a relationship with Trump during his presidency. Their dealings have included discussions around Apple's US manufacturing commitments, with Cook presenting the president with a commemorative plaque after Apple announced an additional $100 billion (£75.55 billion) investment in US manufacturing.
Trump is not the only person to have floated Cook's name. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean for leadership studies at Yale School of Management, also suggested him in a Time opinion piece, citing his experience succeeding Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Sonnenfeld argued that Cook had 'an unparalleled track record of succeeding a bigger-than-life founder'.
Trump's endorsement also follows his public support for Huang in the days before his departure. The Nvidia chief had been a prominent figure in discussions with the administration over US restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to China.
Huang's resignation came amid reports of an extramarital relationship with a Chinese businesswoman whom US authorities suspect of spying for Beijing. However, the espionage allegations have not been independently established. Trump said earlier this week that Huang had told him he did not know the woman was allegedly a spy.
The reports also prompted Nvidia to investigate whether Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The company previously said it had no reason to believe its trade secrets or national security had been compromised.
Nvidia Faces a Critical Leadership Decision
Cook's experience running one of the world's largest technology companies could make him an appealing choice for those looking for an experienced corporate leader. During his 15-year tenure, he oversaw Apple's global operations, strengthened its supply chain and expanded its services business.
However, leading Nvidia would present a different challenge. Its next CEO will need to maintain the company's position in advanced AI chips while navigating competition, export restrictions and growing scrutiny of the technology's strategic importance.
An outside appointment could also raise questions about how quickly a new leader could understand Nvidia's chip development and software ecosystem. Kress, who has served as the company's finance chief since 2013, already has considerable knowledge of its operations.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has publicly indicated that he would welcome the opportunity to hire Huang. The Tesla and SpaceX chief responded to a post on X by ZeroHedge urging him to recruit the Nvidia executive, writing: 'That would be an honor.'
Elon please hire Jensen
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) November 11, 2026
That would be an honor
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 12, 2026
The exchange began with a post dated 11 November, while Musk's reply was timestamped in the early hours of 12 November, before Nvidia publicly announced Huang's resignation. Musk did not identify a potential role or make a formal job offer.
His response was notable given his companies' reliance on Nvidia's AI chips, although neither executive indicated that any employment discussions had taken place.
For now, Trump has made his preference clear, but the decision rests with Nvidia's board. The company has yet to announce a timeline for naming Huang's permanent successor.
