Nvidia names interim chief after Huang resigns; Trump suggests Tim Cook

Nvidia’s board accepted co-founder Jensen Huang’s resignation as president, chief executive and a director on 11 November 2026, with immediate effect. Finance chief Colette Kress has taken over on an interim basis while the company searches for a permanent successor.

On 12 November, President Donald Trump praised Huang in a Truth Social post and said there was “only one man to take his place” – Apple’s Tim Cook. “A Legend replaces a Legend!” he wrote.

Nvidia said it would consider candidates from inside and outside the company. Its announcement did not name Cook. Kress has been finance chief since 2013 and will continue in that role while serving as interim chief.

Cook stepped down as Apple chief executive in September after 15 years and is now executive chair of its board. A Time opinion article published the day before Trump’s post had also suggested him as a possible outside successor, pointing to his experience succeeding Steve Jobs. Apple and Cook did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported.

Nvidia shares fell 14% at the opening of US trading on Thursday, before paring their losses to 4.2% by mid-morning, the Associated Press reported.

Huang’s departure followed reports that he had an affair with a Chinese businesswoman whom US authorities suspect of spying for Beijing, according to Reuters. The Associated Press also reported claims of a separate relationship with an Nvidia employee who reported to him. China has denied attempting to ensnare Huang.

Trump said on 9 November that he had spoken to Huang and called him “a very honorable man”. He said Huang had told him he was unaware of the woman’s alleged intelligence links, and that he believed him.

Huang lobbied Washington to loosen restrictions on Nvidia’s chip sales to China. In January, Trump approved sales of its H200 chips there, AP reported.

On 8 November, Nvidia announced an independent investigation into reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The board said at the time it had no reason to believe US national security or company secrets had been compromised. Huang told employees he had been unfaithful to his wife, without identifying a partner, and said he would cooperate with the inquiry. Nvidia did not give a reason for his resignation in its transition announcement.