US President Donald Trump has suggested that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should replace Jensen Huang as head of Nvidia following his resignation from the chipmaker.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump praised Huang’s leadership before throwing his support behind Cook.
“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. A Legend replaces a Legend!” he wrote.
In an interview with sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, Trump reiterated his support for Cook, describing Huang as a "tremendous talent" who would be difficult to replace.
"I think Tim Cook would be a great candidate to run Nvidia," he said, praising the former Apple chief executive for building the company into one of the world's leading technology firms.
Trump also addressed allegations that Huang had been involved with a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence operative, saying the question of whether she was a spy had not been resolved.
"Well, the big thing is, was the woman spy? And I don't know if that's been determined yet. But if the woman was a spy, yes. If the woman was not a spy, perhaps it would be different," he said when asked whether Huang should have stepped down.
Risk of sharp fall in stock market
Trump said he spoke to Huang on Wednesday and that the former Nvidia chief executive was particularly distressed about the impact of the controversy on his family.
“I spoke to him yesterday. He's going through hell. What he feels most badly about is his wife and family," he said, adding that Huang had personally raised those concerns during their conversation.
Trump had urged Huang to fight to keep his job during a phone call on Tuesday before the Nvidia chief executive resigned, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing two people briefed on the conversation.
The report said Trump viewed Nvidia as crucial to the US economy and his administration's ambitions to dominate artificial intelligence and had expressed concern that Huang's departure could trigger a sharp stock market decline.
Despite the controversy, Trump expressed confidence in Huang's future, saying: "Somehow he'll end up on his feet."
Major leadership change
Nvidia announced on Thursday that Huang stepped down as president, chief executive officer and board member effective immediately amid an independent investigation into reports that he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
The company named Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO, saying it would consider internal and external candidates for the permanent position.
Kress, who joined Nvidia in 2013, is expected to keep her current financial responsibilities while overseeing operations during the transition.
Huang’s departure marked a major leadership change at the semiconductor company, which he led for 33 years.
Nvidia has not publicly detailed the circumstances behind his resignation. Its board previously said it had confidence in Huang and had no reason to believe that US national security or company secrets had been compromised.
Huang’s resignation comes as he faces growing scrutiny from US lawmakers about an alleged Chinese espionage operation.
Calls for classified briefing
Rep. Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Hill website on Thursday that Huang agreed to take part in a closed-door congressional briefing on potential threats to US national security.
Lawmakers are still working out the details, including the date and who will attend.
Mast said the briefing would likely take place under oath, with the proceedings transcribed and video recorded. Several committees are expected to participate, including foreign affairs, intelligence, and the House Select Committee on China.
The request followed a letter sent to Huang last week by Mast and the Republican chairs of the other two committees, asking him to respond by November 11.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Thursday that congressional Democrats are seeking answers about Nvidia, calling for a classified briefing for members of Congress amid concerns about potential implications for US national security.
Jeffries told reporters that Congressman Greg Meeks, who is set to become chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Jim Himes, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, are leading efforts to investigate.
"There certainly are more questions than answers," he said.
Jeffries noted that lawmakers received a classified briefing earlier this week but said it focused primarily on developments involving Iran rather than Nvidia.
"We need a classified briefing made available to members of Congress as it relates to the Nvidia situation and to the extent that our national security has been compromised. The American people deserve answers, and we're going to work to make sure that happens," he said.
Potential risks to national security
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday that Congress must continue demanding answers from Nvidia and the Trump administration regarding the allegations, warning of potential risks to national security.
"Despite Jensen Huang’s resignation, Congress must demand answers from Mr. Huang and others at Nvidia about how they may have put US national security at risk," Schumer wrote on X.
