Trump says Apple's Tim Cook should replace ex-Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang after a 'fantastic' tenure

Sign up HERE for DC Insider - your free guide to what’s rocking Washington Published: 10:52 EST, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 11:11 EST, 12 November 2026 President Donald Trump has suggested that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should replace recently ousted NVIDIA boss Jensen Huang as the company's new chief executive. '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!' The president's recommendation came just hours after news broke that Huang would step down as the company's CEO after co-founding it 33 years ago and leading it to become the US's most valuable company. His resignation comes a day after the New York Times reported that Huang, 63, had an affair with a subordinate, Kimberly Powell. Last week, it was also reported that Huang had an affair with an executive at Singapore-based data company Megaspeed named Alice Huang, who has no relation to the former NVIDIA boss, and is reportedly an alleged Chinese spy. The dual affairs rocked the $4 trillion company, sending its stock price plummeting and raising concerns over how the spy may have duped Huang. Cook, meanwhile, stepped down as Apple's CEO after 15 years leading the company in early September. President Donald Trump said Thursday morning after NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang stepped down that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should take the helm of the microchip company Huang stepped down on Thursday after reports of multiple affairs, one with a subordinate and another with an alleged Chinese spy. Trump said he did a 'fantastic job' at the company The former NVIDIA boss is shown here sitting next to Alice Huang, an executive for Singapore-based data firm Megaspeed who is also a suspected Chinese spyBoth Cook and Huang have warm relationships with the president, who has lauded their innovative companies for leading US tech development in a race against China.They joined the president on his trip to China in May, and Huang was invited to fly with Trump on Air Force One for part of the journey. Reports indicated that Trump was briefed on Huang's affair with an alleged spy before he was allowed to board the plane, but that he still allowed him to board. The affairs prompted an internal investigation at the company before Huang was ousted, though it is unclear how Huang's departure will impact the probe. Lawmakers are also interested in hearing exactly what happened, particularly with the alleged spy. Despite Huang's close ties to Trump, Republicans have expressed interest in subpoenaing the former NVIDIA CEO to investigate the matter. 'Jensen Huang himself has been a pretty bold, some might even say arrogant promoter, sort of dismissing our concerns about China having access to these most advanced chips,' Republican Senator Kevin Cramer told CNBC Thursday morning.'And I do not take that lightly... I would be happy to support a subpoena.' Huang and his wife Lori Huang talk to former Apple CEO Tim Cook during a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping held by Trump at the White House on September 24 Both Huang and Cook attended Trump's trip to China in May, shown above in Beijing with the American delegationChairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party John Moolenaar and Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Rick Crawford, all Republicans, have also voiced support for subpoenaing Huang. The three lawmakers sent a letter to Huang last week asking him to appear for a 'joint, closed-door briefing' on the allegations of his affair with the alleged Chinese spy.The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Huang is expected to cooperate with lawmakers and meet with them behind closed doors, though it is unclear how his resignation may impact the agreement.