Huang, who co-founded Nvidia and remains its fourth-largest investor, resigned as CEO and a member of the company’s board on Thursday. The resignation followed reports that the 63-year-old married man had an affair with a Chinese businesswoman whom US authorities suspect of spying for Beijing. In response to the leadership vacuum, Nvidia announced that Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent successor, considering both internal and external candidates.
Cook, who stepped down as Apple’s CEO in September after a 15-year tenure, currently serves as the executive chairman of the iPhone-maker. Apple and Cook did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Trump’s suggestion. Trump’s endorsement highlights his close ties with top US technology executives during his second term. He noted on Monday that he had spoken with Huang, who told him he did not know the woman linked to him was allegedly a spy.
The relationship between Trump and Huang has been a significant factor in recent technology policy. Huang, one of Trump’s closest allies in Silicon Valley, has maintained a close relationship with the administration dating back to at least 2025. Over the past two years, Huang repeatedly voiced support for the administration’s agenda and became a regular presence in Washington. These visits often coincided with Nvidia’s efforts to sell advanced chips to the Chinese market, a sector subject to strict US regulatory scrutiny.
Last year, the dynamic between Apple and the administration was also marked by significant domestic investment commitments. Cook presented Trump with a custom US-made plaque mounted on a 24-carat gold stand to commemorate Apple’s “American Manufacturing Program.” At that time, Cook stated that Apple would invest an additional $100 billion in domestic manufacturing. The suggestion to move Cook from his role at Apple to lead Nvidia represents a potential major shift in the leadership of two of the world’s most valuable technology companies, though no official transition has been announced by either firm.
As of now, Colette Kress is managing operations at Nvidia as interim CEO. The company has not disclosed a specific timeline for identifying a permanent replacement for Huang. Meanwhile, Cook continues his role as executive chairman at Apple, overseeing the company’s strategy while remaining in the public eye through high-profile interactions with government officials. The next major milestone for Nvidia will be the announcement of its permanent CEO, which could determine the future direction of its chip development and international sales strategies.
