U.S. President Donald Trump on the 12th (local time) named Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook as Nvidia's new leader. It is a rare case of a U.S. president publicly recommending a successor to CEO Jensen Huang, who abruptly resigned.
Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that day. He said Huang had done a great job. He then said there is "only one person" to take over the role, naming "Tim Cook of Apple." He added, "A legend replaces another legend."
Nvidia's board has appointed Colette Kress, CFO and executive vice president, as interim CEO. It has also begun searching for a permanent successor. The board plans to consider candidates from both inside and outside the company.
Trump's recommendation came as the scandal surrounding Huang spread into a controversy over chip export controls on China. Allegations have been raised that Nvidia's advanced AI chips were supplied to China through detour routes. Some in U.S. political circles are criticizing the administration's export controls as inadequate in this regard.
Cook stepped down as Apple CEO on Sept. 1 and has since served as Apple's executive chairman. On Sept. 24, he also appeared at the state dinner Trump hosted at the White House for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
However, it remains unclear whether the president's public recommendation will be reflected in the Nvidia board's actual choice of a successor.