Trump Backs Tim Cook to Replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia CEO Amid Spy Allegations

US President Donald Trump on Thursday backed former Apple CEO Tim Cook to replace Jensen Huang as head of Nvidia, following claims that Huang had stepped down after revelations of two alleged affairs, including one involving a woman accused of spying for China.

“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“A Legend replaces a Legend!” he added.

Trump has no formal authority over the appointment of Nvidia’s chief executive, but his public endorsement highlights his close relationships with both Huang and Cook.

During his second term, Trump has treated Nvidia co-founder Huang as a trusted adviser. The president even invited the Taiwanese-born technology executive aboard Air Force One during his state visit to China in May.

Following allegations concerning Huang’s relationship with Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, who has been accused of spying for Beijing, Trump defended the Nvidia chief earlier this week. He said he had no knowledge of the alleged espionage activities and described Huang, who is not related to Alice Huang, as an “amazing guy” who was “suffering greatly.”

However, questions remain about what Trump knew about the allegations and when he became aware of them.

The New York Times reported earlier this week that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Trump about the allegations aboard Air Force One in May, shortly before the president met Huang in Alaska for their flight to Beijing.

Cook’s Close Relationship With Trump

Cook, who stepped down as Apple CEO in September but continues to serve as executive chairman of the company’s board, is another prominent technology executive who has cultivated close ties with the White House since Trump’s return to office.

In August 2025, Cook appeared alongside Trump in the Oval Office to announce Apple’s plans to increase its US investments to $600 billion. The announcement came as Trump threatened to impose substantial tariffs on technology products manufactured overseas.

Cook also presented Trump with a custom-made gift: an engraved glass piece produced by Corning, the iPhone glass supplier, mounted on a 24-karat gold base.

The gesture helped improve relations between the two, following Trump’s repeated criticism of Apple for manufacturing most of its iPhones outside the United States.

Cook also joined Trump during his May visit to China. Both Cook and Huang later attended a lavish White House state banquet hosted by the US president for Chinese President Xi Jinping in September.

Trump’s endorsement of Cook for the Nvidia leadership role further highlights the growing influence of major technology executives in his administration’s economic and technology policy circles.