U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday proposed that Tim Cook, the former chief executive of Apple Inc, should take the helm at Nvidia following the resignation of Jensen Huang.
Posting on social media, Trump wrote that "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." He added: "A Legend replaces a Legend!"
Cook, who left the CEO role at Apple in September after a 15-year tenure and now serves as executive chairman at the iPhone-maker, has not publicly responded to the suggestion. Apple and Cook did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
The resignation of Huang, announced on Thursday, followed media reports alleging he had an affair with a Chinese businesswoman who U.S. authorities suspect of spying for Beijing. Nvidia said Huang resigned as CEO and as a member of the company's board.
In the wake of Huang's departure, Nvidia announced that Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will step in as interim CEO.
Trump, who has kept close engagement with senior U.S. technology executives during his second term, said earlier in the week that he had a conversation with Huang. According to Trump, Huang told him on Monday that he did not know the woman linked to him was allegedly a spy.
The president has had recurring interactions with top figures in the tech sector, and the article notes that Huang is among Trump’s closest allies in Silicon Valley, with their relationship said to date to at least 2025.
Market indicators mentioned in connection with the developments included a rise in Apple shares and a decline in Nvidia stock: AAPL+0.84% NVDA-4.32%.
Separately, the article recalls that last year Cook presented Trump with a custom U.S.-made plaque on a 24-carat gold stand to commemorate Apple’s "American Manufacturing Program," after saying Apple would invest an additional $100 billion in domestic manufacturing.
The situation is developing around a high-profile departure from one of the largest chipmakers and a public call from the president for a notable tech executive to fill the vacancy. Nvidia has installed an interim leader while the company and stakeholders process the implications of Huang's resignation.
Summary: President Trump urged Tim Cook to replace Jensen Huang at Nvidia after Huang resigned amid reports linking him to a woman suspected by U.S. authorities of spying for China. Nvidia named CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO, and market moves showed divergent performance for Apple and Nvidia.