Trump pitches former Apple CEO Tim Cook for Nvidia top job; Indian-origin Jay Puri among names floated

US President Donald Trump has thrown former Apple CEO Tim Cook into the conversation over who should succeed Jensen Huang at Nvidia, adding an unexpected twist to the leadership transition at the artificial intelligence chipmaker.

“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 said in a post on Truth Social on November 12. “A Legend replaces a Legend!” he added.

Cook stepped down as Apple’s chief executive on September 1, 2026, after 15 years in the role. He is now executive chairman of the company’s board, while John Ternus has taken over as CEO. There is no indication that Cook has been approached for the Nvidia position or is interested in taking it up.

Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led the company for 33 years, resigned as president, CEO and board member with immediate effect. Nvidia has appointed executive vice-president and CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO while its board searches for a permanent successor. The company said it would consider both internal and external candidates.

Huang’s resignation followed mounting scrutiny over reported extramarital relationships that triggered concerns about corporate governance and national security.

Who are the names being discussed?

Among the internal executives mentioned in succession reports is Indian-origin Jay Puri, who spent more than two decades at Nvidia and led its worldwide sales and field operations. Puri retired from his executive role in August 2026 and moved into an advisory position, handing over the worldwide field operations role to former Microsoft executive Nick Parker. His long association with Nvidia has nevertheless brought him into the wider succession conversation.

Kress, who joined Nvidia in 2013, is now the interim chief executive. Another prominent internal name is Ian Buck, a longtime Nvidia executive who joined in 2004 and helped develop CUDA, the software platform that has become central to the company’s AI computing ecosystem. Buck currently leads its hyperscale and high-performance computing business.

Other Nvidia executives mentioned in reports include Jeff Fisher, a 32-year company veteran, and operations chief Debora Shoquist. Huang’s children, Madison and Spencer, who also hold roles at Nvidia, have featured in longer-term succession speculation. His son-in-law Nico Caprez, a vice-president at the company, has also been mentioned.

External names also in the mix

Arm Holdings CEO Rene Haas, who spent seven years at Nvidia earlier in his career, has been cited as a possible external option. Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer who led the development of its in-house silicon programme, has also surfaced in succession discussions. AMD CEO Lisa Su is another name mentioned in reports, although she heads one of Nvidia’s biggest competitors.

These names do not represent an official shortlist, and there is no confirmation that the executives have been approached or are willing to take the role. For now, Kress will lead Nvidia on an interim basis as the board weighs its options for a permanent successor to Huang.