Trump says 'there is only one man' to replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia CEO

Nvidia has named CFO Colette Kress interim CEO following Jensen Huang's departure

President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should replace Jensen Huang as the head of Nvidia following Huang's abrupt resignation amid scrutiny of his personal conduct and potential national security concerns.

"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 on Truth Social.

The president's endorsement comes as Nvidia faces a leadership shake-up following Huang's departure from the artificial intelligence chipmaker he co-founded in 1993.

NVIDIA CEO JENSEN HUANG RESIGNS AMID INVESTIGATION INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH ALLEGED CHINESE SPY

split photo of jensen huang and donald trump in suits

Jensen Huang, chief executive officer of Nvidia Corp., and President Donald Trump. (Graeme Sloan/Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg)

Nvidia named Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress interim CEO on Thursday while its board searches for a permanent successor, considering candidates from both inside and outside the company.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the G20 Innovation Ministerial on Sept. 2, 2026, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Cook stepped down as Apple's CEO in September after 15 years at the helm and now serves as the iPhone maker's executive chairman. Trump did not indicate whether Cook had expressed interest in taking the helm at Nvidia.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
NVDA NVIDIA CORP. 164.43 -9.30 -5.35%

Huang's resignation followed reports of two extramarital affairs, including a relationship with a Chinese businesswoman whom U.S. authorities suspect of spying for Beijing. 

The allegations raised questions about whether the longtime technology executive could have been targeted by Chinese intelligence, given Nvidia's central role in the global artificial intelligence industry and ongoing U.S.-China tensions over advanced chips.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during his keynote presentation at CES 2025

No evidence has been publicly established that Huang disclosed confidential information or that the woman obtained Nvidia secrets. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

The reported relationship has fueled concerns about potential foreign intelligence efforts to gain access to sensitive information involving one of America's most strategically important technology companies. However, no evidence has been publicly established that Huang disclosed confidential information or that the woman obtained Nvidia secrets.

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Trump had previously defended Huang, saying Monday that he believed the executive's account that he was unaware of the woman's alleged intelligence ties.

Reuters contributed to this report.