Top Leaders React to Apple Announcing Tim Cook Will Step Down as CEO - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Top Leaders React to Apple Announcing Tim Cook Will Step Down as CEO

Apple on Monday announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO, and some top leaders around the world have publicly commented on the news.

Tim Cook Apple Logo
Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company, including "engaging with policymakers around the world."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella:

Wishing you all the best in this next chapter, Tim Cook. You've always led with clarity and purpose, and your impact on Apple and across our industry will be felt for years to come.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai:

Congrats on an incredible run Tim Cook, always respected your deep commitment to Apple's mission and best wishes in your new role!

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman:

Tim Cook is a legend.

I am very thankful for everything he has done and I am very thankful for Apple.

U.S. President Donald Trump:

I have always been a big fan of Tim Cook, and likewise, Steve Jobs, but if Steve was not taken from the Planet Earth so young, and ran the company instead of Tim, the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim.

More from Trump:

I was very impressed with myself to have the head of Apple calling to "kiss my ass."

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey:

Here in Alabama, we will always be proud of Tim Cook! He is an Alabamian through and through — born in Mobile and a graduate of Auburn University. I wish Tim Cook continued success and am grateful for all he has done and will continue to do for our state.

Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett:

Apple would not be the Apple of today without Tim Cook.

More from Buffett:

Covering the world and getting along with countries with all kinds of histories and doing right by the customer, people who worked for him, certainly the shareholders, which we were lucky enough to be one of… he's one of a kind.

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon:

Congratulations to Tim Cook on his nearly 15 years of leadership at Apple, and to John Ternus on becoming CEO.

Apple's former iPod chief Tony Fadell:

Congratulations Tim Cook on one of the most consequential leadership runs in tech.

This year marks 50 years of Apple, and Tim has led Apple through a defining stretch of that history.

Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey:

RIP Tim Apple

We will update this story with any additional quotes throughout the day.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Popular Stories

tim cook john ternus apple ceo

Tim Cook and John Ternus Attend Sun Valley Conference Together

Wednesday July 8, 2026 6:07 am PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus are attending this year's Sun Valley Conference, according to Forbes. Allen & Co., the boutique investment firm behind the event, uses the conference as an annual excuse to put media, tech, and finance leaders in the same rooms for a week of closed-door talks at the Sun Valley Lodge. This year's event began on July 7 and is expected to run...
Stocks App Icon and Apple Logo Feature

You Can Listen to Tim Cook's Final Earnings Call as Apple CEO Today

Thursday July 30, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
Tim Cook will participate in his final Apple earnings call as the company's CEO today. The call begins at 2 p.m. Pacific Time / 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Cook and CFO Kevan Parekh will discuss Apple's earnings results for the second quarter of the 2026 calendar year on the live-streamed conference call. While the call is primarily intended for Apple shareholders and Wall Street analysts, anyone...
tim cook macbook pro

Tim Cook Thanks Shareholders on His Final Apple Earnings Call

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:26 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook today confirmed that today's call was his last as CEO, with John Ternus set to become Apple's new CEO on September 1. Cook will transition to a new role as executive chairman when Ternus becomes CEO. I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of you, from our shareholders, particularly our long-term shareholders who have put their trust in us for so many years, ...

Top Rated Comments

jarman92 Avatar
15 weeks ago

U.S. President Donald Trump ('https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116442276577696798'):

I have always been a big fan of Tim Cook, and likewise, Steve Jobs, but if Steve was not taken from the Planet Earth so young, and ran the company instead of Tim, the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim.
Wow, what an unusually normal statement fro—


More from Trump:


I was very impressed with myself to have the head of Apple calling to "kiss my ass."
Never mind.
Score: 126 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacFan782040 Avatar
15 weeks ago
A new CEO has been chosen :apple:

Attachment Image
Score: 125 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago
What a tasteless comment from the egomaniac president....but shouldn't be a suprise at this stage.
Score: 109 Votes (Like | Disagree)
raindogg Avatar
15 weeks ago
Trump is an idiot.
Score: 65 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago

Trump is an idiot.
You’re being generous
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
15 weeks ago
It’s amazing to me that there are people in America who don’t think Trump is an embarrassing tit.

I mean politics aside, no matter if you agree or disagree are right or left, you have to admit there’s something wrong with him, surely?? This is not how normal people behave.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors