Donald Trump Backs Tim Cook to Replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia CEO
United States President Donald Trump publicly suggested that former Apple chief executive Tim Cook should be appointed to lead Nvidia following the sudden resignation of Jensen Huang, according to NDTV. Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared that following the departure of Huang, Tim Cook was the only person suited to assume leadership of the chipmaker. Trump added that such an appointment would represent one corporate legend replacing another at the artificial intelligence semiconductor firm. Huang, the 63-year-old co-founder and fourth-largest shareholder of Nvidia, resigned as president, chief executive, and board member following reports of an affair with a Chinese businesswoman suspected of espionage.
Corporate Succession and Interim Executive Appointments
Nvidia named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress to assume responsibilities as interim chief executive while the board conducts an executive search. The corporation appointed Harvey C. Jones as its board chair to oversee the succession process across internal and external candidates. Cook stepped down as Apple's chief executive in September after a 15-year tenure and currently serves as executive chairman of the board of directors. There is no indication that Nvidia's board of directors has approached or evaluated Cook for the vacant executive post. Shares in the chipmaker plunged when Wall Street opened following the departure announcement, according to The Guardian.
White House Relationships and National Security Review
Trump's public intervention renewed scrutiny over his administration's close ties with Huang, who regularly engaged with the White House on semiconductor trade regulations. The New York Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Trump aboard Air Force One in May regarding Huang's contact with the suspected Chinese intelligence asset. During a White House briefing, Trump defended Huang, stating that the former executive denied knowing the individual was an intelligence asset and noting ongoing inquiries by the FBI. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast indicated that lawmakers expect Huang to testify before congressional committees regarding the security matter.
Silicon Valley Diplomacy and Artificial Intelligence Stakes
Cook has maintained frequent communication with the Trump administration, previously pledging US$600 billion, equivalent to S$770 billion, in domestic American corporate investments. Cook accompanied Trump during official engagements in China in May and attended a formal White House state dinner held in September. Under Cook's leadership, Apple expanded its active device user base to 2.5 billion units while growing market capitalization from $350 billion to $4 trillion. The executive transition at Nvidia unfolds as high-performance semiconductor processors remain central to international geopolitical and commercial competition in artificial intelligence. During his tenure as Apple CEO, Tim Cook presented Donald Trump with a plaque on a gold base, according to The Washington Post.