Following the unexpected departure of Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang on Thursday, corporate discussions regarding who should steer the semiconductor behemoth have gained massive traction. While the chipmaker appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO, political and business figures are already speculating on a permanent successor to lead the hardware giant forward.
Donald Trump Suggests Tim Cook for Top Job
Among those offering commentary on the executive search is U.S. President Donald Trump, who took to social media to pitch Apple's former executive leader. In a post published on Truth Social, Trump declared that Tim Cook is the sole individual qualified to take over the leadership of Nvidia. Expressing strong confidence in Cook's executive capabilities, Trump wrote that a legend replaces a legend to describe the potential leadership transition.
Tim Cook's Current Position and Background at Apple
Cook ended his 15-year tenure as Apple's chief executive officer on September 1, 2026, handing over the chief executive mantle to John Ternus. Following his departure from the chief executive role, Cook assumed the position of executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In this capacity, he remains heavily involved in high-level corporate strategy, focusing on international diplomatic ties, regulatory affairs, and managing key global relationships, including Apple's critical operational interests in China.
Academic Endorsements and Founder Succession Track Record
Trump is not alone in identifying Cook as a potential candidate for the top post at Nvidia. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies at Yale School of Management, had previously authored an opinion piece on Wednesday proposing Cook for the position. Sonnenfeld highlighted that Cook possesses an unparalleled executive history of successfully taking the helm from a larger-than-life founder, referencing Cook's successful management transition following the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. While corporate observers debate whether Trump's public endorsement stems from expert consensus or casual commentary, it has reignited public memories of the president's previous slip of the tongue when he publicly referred to the executive as Tim Apple.
