According to reports, Huang acknowledged on Sunday that he had maintained an extramarital relationship with Alice Huang, an executive at the cloud services company ''Megaspeed''. News reports indicated that U.S. intelligence officials suspected that the woman has ties to China as a suspected espionage agent, although that accusation has not been publicly proven.
Later, on Wednesday, the New York Times reported on another alleged extramarital relationship of the businessman, this time with Kimberly Powell, vice president of healthcare at Nvidia, who reported directly to Huang.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed former Apple CEO Tim Cook, as a possible successor to Jensen Huang at the helm of Nvidia, after the businessman stepped down from the tech company amid controversy over alleged extramarital relationships and concerns related to potential national security risks.
Trump expressed his support for Cook this Thursday through a post on Truth Social, where he highlighted Cook's track record at Apple and presented him as the ideal candidate to lead one of the world's most important semiconductor manufacturers.
''Now that Nvidia's CEO, JENSEN HUANG, who has done a fantastic job, has resigned, there is only one man who can take his place: TIM COOK, from Apple! A legend replaces another legend!'', wrote the president.
Donald Trump proposed Tim Cook, former Apple CEO, to replace Jensen Huang at Nvidia
Trump's intervention comes at a time of uncertainty for Nvidia, whose position in the tech industry is strategic due to its leadership in the development of processors used in artificial intelligence, data centers, and advanced computing systems.
Cook led Apple for 15 years, from 2011 until September 2026, when he stepped down as CEO. He currently serves as executive chairman of the company's board, a role from which he remains involved in the strategic decisions of one of the American tech giants.
His experience managing a global company, developing international supply chains, and consolidating Apple's position in the tech market is one of the main arguments in favor of his potential incorporation into Nvidia.
Meanwhile, the company announced that Colette Kress, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will temporarily assume the executive leadership following Huang's departure.
Tim Cook led Apple for 15 years, and his career was one of the main reasons for winning the president's support
The controversy that shook Nvidia's leadership
Huang's resignation came after a series of news reports about alleged extramarital relationships that raised questions about his continued leadership of the company.
Jensen Huang resigned from his position at Nvidia after a series of controversies related to extramarital affairs
The existence of a relationship with a direct subordinate would have heightened concerns within the board of directors, due to potential implications for corporate oversight mechanisms, conflicts of interest, and corporate governance.
Media reported that board members met on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of removing Huang from the executive leadership. Additionally, U.S. lawmakers had called for his resignation given the seriousness of the information related to the businessman.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led the company for over three decades, becoming one of the most influential figures in the tech industry.
One of those relationships was with Alice Huang, who would have ties to the communist regime of Xi Jinping
Markets react to Huang's departure
The uncertainty about Nvidia's future also began to reflect in the financial markets. On Thursday, the company's shares fell nearly 9.8 points, equivalent to 5.69 percent, as investors assessed the consequences of the departure of its historic CEO.
In this context, Trump put Cook's name on the table as a high-profile alternative to ensure the continuity of American tech leadership.
Although the president did not announce that there is a formal negotiation to bring in the former Apple CEO, his public endorsement introduces one of the most recognized business figures in the United States into the discussion about Nvidia's future.
