Trump floats Apple chairman Tim Cook as Jensen Huang’s successor

In Brief

Posted:

8:12 AM PST · November 12, 2026

In the wake of the industry-shaking news of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s resignation on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump is floating the idea that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should take over the position.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that “only one man” could take Huang’s place: Tim Cook of Apple.

“A Legend replaces a Legend!,” he wrote.

Cook stepped down as Apple’s CEO on September 1, 2026, after 15 years running the company, but he’s still very much involved with Apple. While John Ternus took over as Apple’s CEO, Cook transitioned into the role of Executive Chairman of Apple’s board of directors, which sees him continuing to engage with global policymakers and manage international relationships, including Apple’s relations with China.

Trump is not the only one to suggest Cook as a replacement for Huang. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies at Yale School of Management, who studies CEO leadership and corporate governance, penned an op-ed in Time on Wednesday, suggesting Cook should be among the potential candidates. He wrote that Cook has “an unparalleled track record of succeeding a bigger-than-life founder,” in reference to Cook taking over from Apple founder Steve Jobs.

Whether or not Trump agrees with this opinion, or is simply blasting off an idea that hopped into his mind, is anyone’s guess.

“Tim Nvidia,” however, doesn’t quite have the same ring as “Tim Apple” does.