Story
Nov 13, 2026
Trump Wants Tim Cook to Take Over Nvidia—But the Succession Is Still Wide Open
Trump cast Tim Cook as the obvious successor to Jensen Huang, while Nvidia’s immediate focus is continuity under interim CEO Colette Kress. Analysts see a crowded, unsettled race—and one report questioned whether Trump’s proposal was serious.
Nvidia’s leadership crisis began Thursday, when Jensen Huang resigned as CEO after reports of extramarital affairs and an investigation into whether he was the target of a foreign intelligence effort. Huang apologized for being unfaithful, while China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the spying allegations. The company named longtime CFO Colette Kress interim CEO as it searches for a permanent successor. Kress said Nvidia’s “strength has always come from its people” and pledged to build on the foundation Huang created.1
Trump soon offered his own answer: former Apple CEO Tim Cook. “There is only one man to take his place – TIM COOK of Apple. A Legend replaces a Legend!” the president wrote on Truth Social, praising Huang even as he proposed his replacement.2 Cook stepped down as Apple CEO and became executive chairman; Trump has repeatedly praised his leadership.
The idea is not unique to Trump. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Yale leadership scholar, had suggested Cook as a candidate, citing his “unparalleled track record” succeeding a larger-than-life founder—Steve Jobs.3 But one report noted it was unclear whether Trump’s post was a serious endorsement or a joke.4
For now, the succession remains open. Prediction markets favored Nvidia executive Ian Buck, followed by Kress and Arm CEO Rene Haas, while analysts pointed to uncertainty over whether technical expertise or leadership continuity should prevail.5 Nvidia shares fell as much as 13 percent after Huang’s departure before trimming losses. One market strategist argued the company’s software, customers and AI demand mean its prospects are no longer tied to Huang alone.5