Trump named Apple executive chairman Tim Cook as his pick to lead Nvidia on the day Jensen Huang quit and Colette Kress became interim chief.
Tamrah News Desk | November 12, 2026
President Donald Trump has backed Tim Cook as Nvidia CEO after Jensen Huang resigned on Thursday, November 12, following reports of two extramarital affairs. Business Standard reported that Trump said on social media that Cook should take over the chipmaker. Nvidia now has an interim leader while its board begins the search for a permanent Nvidia CEO successor. Follow our wider Nvidia news coverage for more.
What Trump Wrote in His Truth Social Post
Mediaite reported that the Trump Truth Social post praised Huang for doing a fantastic job and called Cook the only man for the role. The president ended it with
“A Legend replaces a Legend!”
according to Mediaite. Axios noted that Trump did not address the controversy around Huang, and that it is unclear whether he meant the post as a joke. Axios also reported that Trump presented Huang with the National Medal of Science on October 8. TIME reported that it is unclear whether Trump contacted Cook before posting, and that Trump told reporters on Monday he believed Huang knew nothing about any espionage.
Who Tim Cook Is Today
Cook no longer runs Apple day to day. ABC News reported that Apple announced on April 20 that John Ternus would succeed him, with Cook becoming Apple executive chairman. Business Standard said Cook left the chief executive role in September after 15 years. Business Upturn reported that Apple completed the handover on September 1. Axios describes him as Apple executive chairman.
Why the Jensen Huang Resignation Happened
Nvidia said Huang resigned as president, chief executive and board member, effective immediately. Business Standard reported that Huang, 63, founded Nvidia and is its fourth largest investor. CNBC reported that Huang admitted to an affair on Sunday, and that the Financial Times identified the woman as Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive whom US intelligence officials believe is a Chinese spy. The two are not related, The National Desk reported.
Reuters reported that Beijing denies Alice Huang is a spy. It added that, according to media reports, Washington has examined Megaspeed over suspicions it helped China obtain restricted chips. The Alice Huang Megaspeed link also drew attention in Congress. Forbes reported that three House chairmen asked Huang to attend a closed briefing on November 18 and that lawmakers raised the possibility of a subpoena.
Colette Kress Interim CEO Appointment and the Board Search
Nvidia named Colette Kress, its chief financial officer, as interim CEO, and she keeps her finance role. ABC News reported that the Nvidia board will consider applicants from inside and outside the company. Harvey Jones became the board’s first chair. He said in a statement that operations, customer commitments and the product roadmap should continue without interruption. 24/7 Wall St. reported that third quarter results are still due on Tuesday, November 17.
Can Tim Cook Become Nvidia’s Next CEO?
The decision belongs to the Nvidia board. Because the board has said it will weigh internal and external candidates, any Nvidia CEO successor will come through that process. Business Upturn reported that Trump’s endorsement does not change the board led process. Coverage reviewed by Tamrah News found no public response from Cook, Apple or Nvidia to the post.
Nvidia Stock and Washington React
Nvidia stock fell nearly 10 percent on Thursday, pushing its market value below $4 trillion, CNBC reported. Reuters said AMD shares rose 2 percent and Broadcom shares rose 5 percent. Reuters also reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson called the choice of the right successor critically important and noted growing support in Congress for limiting chip exports to China. Our US China chip export coverage tracks that debate.
Conclusion
Trump’s endorsement adds a political voice to a decision that rests with the Nvidia board. For now, Kress leads the company while the board weighs candidates, and Cook has not commented on Tim Cook as Nvidia CEO. Readers following the story are also searching for Jensen Huang resignation, Nvidia interim CEO, Nvidia CEO successor, Alice Huang Megaspeed, Apple executive chairman, Nvidia stock.
-Tamrah News
