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Cook became Apple’s executive chairman in September. Trump’s endorsement adds a presidential voice to the debate over Huang’s successor.
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Trump’s endorsement of Tim Cook as Nvidia’s next CEO is a public suggestion, not a reported appointment: TIME says it is unclear whether Trump contacted Cook, and Cook’s interest is unconfirmed. The proposal follows TIME’s report that Jensen Huang resigned on November 12, 2026, after reports alleging affairs with two women; the article distinguishes those claims from a separate intelligence allegation involving one woman. Cook left Apple’s CEO role on September 1 after 15 years and is now executive chairman, making any move a major but speculative leadership shift.
Apple CEO John Ternus took over when Cook stepped down; Cook retained a role engaging with policymakers and managing international relationships, including with China.
Yale leadership scholar Jeffrey Sonnenfeld named Cook as a possible successor in a TIME opinion article published November 11, citing his experience succeeding Steve Jobs.
Trump said Monday that he believed Huang knew nothing about an alleged espionage operation; those remarks were not a finding about Huang’s knowledge.
President Donald Trump publicly backed Tim Cook to lead Nvidia on November 12, 2026, following Jensen Huang’s reported resignation that morning. But the endorsement is not an agreed appointment: TIME said it was unclear whether Trump had contacted Cook, and Cook’s willingness to take the job remains unconfirmed.
TIME reported that Huang stepped down following reports alleging affairs with two women. One involved a woman the article described as having been identified by U.S. intelligence as a Chinese spy. That intelligence allegation is distinct from the reported leadership change.
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!
Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post quoted by TIME
Cook is no longer Apple’s chief executive. He stepped down on September 1, 2026, after 15 years running the company, with John Ternus taking over. Cook became executive chairman of Apple’s board, TechCrunch reported. His responsibilities still include engaging with global policymakers and managing international relationships, including Apple’s relations with China.
Trump was not the first to propose Cook. According to TechCrunch, Yale School of Management leadership scholar Jeffrey Sonnenfeld named him among potential successors in a TIME opinion article published November 11. Sonnenfeld cited Cook’s “unparalleled track record of succeeding a bigger-than-life founder,” referring to his experience taking over from Steve Jobs at Apple.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said he believed Huang’s assertion that he knew nothing about an alleged espionage operation, TIME reported. “I really believe him,” Trump said. “I think that he’ll be in good shape.” Those remarks expressed the president’s confidence in Huang, not a finding about what Huang knew.
Their relationship also figured in Trump’s May visit to China. TIME cited New York Times reporting that the president insisted Huang join the U.S. delegation despite concerns about Huang’s relationship with a woman believed to be a Chinese spy.
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