Trump Backs Tim Cook to Run Nvidia: 'A Legend Replaces a Legend'

President Trump on Thursday named his choice to lead Nvidia after Jensen Huang's sudden resignation: former Apple chief executive Tim Cook.

In a Truth Social post hours after Nvidia announced Huang's departure, the President praised Huang for doing a fantastic job and wrote that "there is only one man to take his place - TIM COOK of Apple," Newsweek reported ^[1]. He closed with a line that quickly made the rounds: "A Legend replaces a Legend!" according to Just the News ^[2]. NBC News and The Washington Times also reported the President's recommendation ^[4][5].

The post was the President's first public comment after Huang stepped down, Just the News reported ^[2]. It is not clear whether he discussed the idea with Cook beforehand, Newsweek and The Daily Wire noted ^[1][3], and the decision belongs to Nvidia's board, not the White House ^[3].

Why Cook

Cook ran Apple for 15 years after succeeding Steve Jobs in 2011, then stepped down as CEO on September 1 and became executive chairman, handing the top job to longtime hardware executive John Ternus ^[1][3]. His background is in operations and supply-chain management, Newsweek reported ^[1], the kind of experience NBC News discussed in its segment on the President's pick ^[4]. Cook remains at Apple as executive chairman, helping with areas that include engagement with policymakers ^[1]. Analyst Dan Ives called Cook the top candidate for the job, according to Newsweek ^[1].

The two men have not always agreed. The Daily Wire recalled that Trump called for an Apple boycott in 2016 after the company refused to help the FBI unlock the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone, that Cook later called him directly, and that Cook publicly broke with him over the travel ban ^[3].

How Nvidia got here

Nvidia said Thursday that Huang resigned as president, chief executive and board member, effective immediately ^[1]. The board named longtime chief financial officer Colette Kress, CFO since 2013, as interim CEO and is searching inside and outside the company for a permanent successor ^[1][3]. Board chair Harvey Jones said the board has full confidence in Kress, and Kress pledged to build on the foundation Huang created over 33 years, Newsweek reported ^[1].

Huang's exit followed his admission of an affair with a woman tied to a Singapore data center company that buys Nvidia chips. Reports said U.S. intelligence had flagged her as a possible operative for Beijing, which China denies ^[1][3]. The New York Times reported Wednesday on a second relationship, with a senior Nvidia executive who reported to him ^[1][3]. On Monday, the President had defended Huang, saying Huang told him he had no idea the person was a spy ^[1]. Huang has agreed to testify before Congress before Thanksgiving, CNBC reported, according to Newsweek ^[1], and a proposed shareholder class action accuses him and the company of misleading investors ^[3].

Nvidia shares fell as much as 14.3% Thursday before paring much of the loss ^[1].

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What comes next

The board's search continues, and Nvidia reports its fiscal third-quarter results on November 17 ^[1]. Newsweek said it had asked Nvidia and Apple for comment ^[1]; neither Cook nor Apple had responded publicly in the coverage we reviewed.