President Donald Trump suggested that former Apple CEO Tim Cook replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia’s chief executive in a post on X, while also praising Huang’s leadership.
“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,” Trump wrote on social media. “A Legend replaces a Legend!” he added.
The comments came after Huang stepped down from all his leadership positions and board roles following a 33-year tenure at Nvidia. The company appointed Colette Kress, its executive vice president and chief financial officer, as interim CEO.
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The decision followed mounting scrutiny over allegations involving Huang’s personal relationships, including an alleged affair with Alice Huang, an executive at Megaspeed who is suspected of having connections to China’s Ministry of State Security and passing information to Beijing. Huang had acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife of 40 years. The allegations have raised questions about Nvidia’s business interests in China and potential national security risks.
The controversy intensified after The New York Times, citing five people who had worked at Nvidia, reported that Huang had also been involved in an alleged extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, the company’s vice president of health care. Powell reportedly reported directly to Huang.
Meanwhile, Harvey C. Jones, a longtime Nvidia director and former Synopsys CEO, has been appointed the company’s first independent board chair.
Cook stepped down as Apple’s CEO earlier this year after 15 years in the position. Longtime hardware executive John Ternus succeeded him.
Trump, who has maintained close ties with leading U.S. technology executives during his second term, said Monday that he had spoken with Huang. According to Trump, Huang told him he did not know that the woman linked to him was allegedly a spy.
Huang has maintained a close relationship with Trump, dating back to at least 2025. Over the past two years, Huang has voiced support for the administration’s agenda and become a regular presence in Washington as Nvidia sought to expand sales of its advanced chips to the Chinese market.
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Meanwhile, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk publicly expressed interest in recruiting Huang while responding to a post on X by financial commentary account ZeroHedge on Wednesday. ZeroHedge wrote, “Elon please hire Jensen,” to which Musk replied, “That would be an honor.”
Nvidia’s board appointed Jones, a longtime company director and former Synopsys CEO, as its first independent chairman. Kress is expected to retain her positions as executive vice president and CFO while serving as interim CEO. Nvidia said the board would consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent position.