Ross Gerber Demands Tim Cook Resign: ‘He Hasn’t Done a Thing in Years’ on AI

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, dropped a bombshell on X Tuesday: “It’s time for Tim Apple to resign. He hasn’t done a thing really in years. Apple…

Published January 29, 2026, 11:34am ET · 2 min read

Apple CEO Tim Cook, a man with short grey hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt and black pants, stands center-right on a dark stage, raising his right hand in a wave or gesture. Behind him, a large, neon-blue outline of the Apple logo glows against a black background.
Apple CEO Tim Cook addresses an audience, likely during an earnings call, where he discussed impending increases in iPhone production costs. © Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, dropped a bombshell on X Tuesday: “It’s time for Tim Apple to resign. He hasn’t done a thing really in years. Apple completely missed the AI boat and now needs Google to survive.”

The timing is pointed. Apple reports Q1 FY2026 earnings today with analysts expecting $2.67 EPS and $138.5 billion in revenue. We discussed this in today’s Daily Profit newsletter, and the earnings picture tells a different story than Gerber’s frustration suggests.

Under Cook, Apple has beaten EPS estimates in eight consecutive quarters, averaging 4.2% above consensus. Q2 2025 crushed estimates by nearly 10%. Revenue grew 7.9% year-over-year with operating margins at 31.7% and profit margins at 26.9%. The company generates $416 billion in annual revenue with a 171% return on equity. These aren’t the numbers of a CEO who “hasn’t done a thing.”

But Gerber’s criticism isn’t baseless. Apple’s stock is down 5.7% year-to-date while Microsoft has made strides despite their own blown earnings last night. The Google partnership for Gemini-powered AI features, which Gerber mocks, underscores Apple’s late arrival to the AI race. Prediction markets show only 36% probability of Apple closing above $260 by month-end.

Apple hasn’t responded to Gerber’s comments. Analyst consensus remains 64% buy/strong buy with a $287 average target, though 42% rate it hold or sell. The tension is clear: exceptional profitability meets modest 7.9% revenue growth. That’s the real question for investors: Is Apple optimizing yesterday’s business or building tomorrow’s? Cook’s track record says he delivers results. Whether those results justify a $3.8 trillion valuation in an AI-first world is what earnings today will reveal.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Jeremy Phillips

I've been writing about stocks and personal finance for 20+ years. I believe all great companies are tech companies in the long run, and I invest accordingly.

All articles →