US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind an unexpected candidate to replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia CEO — Apple executive chairman Tim Cook. Just hours after Huang resigned from Nvidia in the wake of an affair with a suspected Chinese spyTrump took to Truth Social to suggest that Cook was the only person capable of taking over from the AI chip giant’s longtime chief.
“NOW THAT Nvidia CEO JENSEN HUANGwho 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. Cook, 65, stepped down as Apple’s chief executive in August and moved into the role of executive chairman.
Nvidia has appointed Colette Kress, its executive vice president and chief financial officer, as interim CEO. The company’s board is searching for a permanent successor and is expected to consider both internal and external candidates.
Huang’s departure has created a big leadership vacuum at one of the most strategically important technology companies in the world. Nvidia sits at the centre of the global artificial intelligence boom, supplying the advanced processors used by major technology companies to build and operate AI systems. Its chips have also become a major point of contention in the US-China technology rivalry.
That makes the question of who replaces Huang bigger than a routine CEO transition.
Trump has previously spoken favourably of Huang and has repeatedly defended Nvidia’s role in the US technology sector. However, there is no indication that Cook has been approached or is being considered by Nvidia’s board.
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Huang’s resignation has also brought renewed attention to a separate battle inside the Trump administration over Nvidia’s business in China. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has faced criticism over his handling of restrictions on US technology exports to China, particularly those involving Nvidia’s advanced AI chips.
According to Reutersthe White House moved Thursday to defend Lutnick, saying Trump continues to have “complete confidence” in the commerce secretary and his ability to lead the department.
The administration’s defence followed a report by Axios that Lutnick had delayed Trump’s proposed crackdown on companies suspected of diverting Nvidia chips to China.
Several lawmakers have called for tougher controls on exports, arguing that advanced Nvidia processors could strengthen China’s military and artificial intelligence capabilities.
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The controversy goes beyond Huang’s personal life.
Democrats in Congress had already accused the Trump administration of being too accommodating towards Nvidia and Huang over US technology exports to China. They have questioned the administration’s decision-making around the possible sale of Nvidia’s H200 chips to Chinese customers. At the centre of that debate is Lutnick, who reportedly clashed with other senior administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, over how aggressively the US should restrict exports.
The issue could soon move from political accusations to a congressional hearing. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast said congressional staff spoke with Nvidia representatives on Wednesday night and indicated that he expects Huang to testify before Congress within the next week.
Mast and two other senior House Republicans had already asked Huang to brief them behind closed doors about his relationship with Alice Huang.
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