WASHINGTON — President Trump floated former Apple CEO Tim Cook as a possible successor to Jensen Huang at Nvidia Thursday — hours after Huang resigned as CEO of the leading artificial intelligence technology company following the exposure of extramarital affairs with a suspected Chinese spy and a subordinate.
“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.
Trump had backed Huang amid controversy over his relationship with Singapore-based Alice Huang (no relation).
Jensen Huang, who visited the White House on Sept. 29 and also traveled with Trump to China in May, resigned before the company’s board could oust him.
The board was set to convene hours after the New York Times reported on Huang’s dalliance with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of health care, which further destabilized his leadership.
Cook, 66, led Apple from 2011 until August, when he moved upstairs to become executive chairman. The Alabama native built a strong relationship with Trump by reaching out and soliciting the president’s input.
In return, Trump affectionately nicknamed him “Tim Apple” and was introducing him as CEO even after Cook had left the post.
Nvidia and Apple are two of the world’s most valuable companies and have traded the top spot on most valuation lists over the past month as their stock prices have fluctuated.
