Tim Cook Steps Down as CEO of Apple

Tim Cook, who has served as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer for nearly 15 years, is officially stepping down from his position. John Ternus, who leads Apple’s hardware division, will succeed him and guide Apple into its next chapter. Although Cook is stepping down, he reassured everyone with a note to the community, stating that this is not a farewell, as he will continue with the company as executive chairman.

Sam Altman Refers to Cook as a Legend

As the announcement was made public, many executives and individuals took to social media to express their sentiments regarding this transition, marking it as the conclusion of an era.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, tweeted to recognise Cook as a legend. He expressed his gratitude, acknowledging all that Cook has accomplished and appreciating Apple as well.

Tim Cook is a legend. I am very thankful for everything he has done and I am very thankful for Apple.
— Sam Altman (@sama) April 20, 2026

Community Reactions to Cook’s Departure as CEO

Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR, added a humorous touch on social media by saying “RIP Tim Apple,” referencing a slip from the 2019 White House when Donald Trump mistakenly called Tim Cook “Tim Apple.” Cook light-heartedly embraced this moment by changing his Twitter name to feature an Apple logo.

Numerous individuals have praised Cook’s consistent leadership and highlighted his role in Apple’s significant growth over the years. One user on X commented, “Apple keynotes won’t feel the same without Tim Cook’s ‘Good Morning.’”

Another noted, “Cook was an outstanding operator who made Apple remarkably profitable and turned it into the most valuable company in the world.”

A user pointed out, “Tim Cook is a rare executive who demonstrated that you don’t need to be the founder to create something historic.”

John Ternus’s Leadership Begins

John Ternus has spent over 25 years at Apple, contributing behind the scenes to pivotal hardware products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and playing a crucial role in the development of Apple’s modern device assortment.

Now, as hardware chief, he is poised to lead Apple into its forthcoming phase during a crucial period where the firm is expediting its advancement in AI amidst growing competition. Concurrently, Apple is facing increasing pressure to deliver AI-driven innovations in wearables, spatial computing, and other technologies.