Squawk Pod

Latest Episodes:

Build Back Smaller, Come Back Workers! 8/8/22 Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

In a tight vote after a weekend vote-a-rama, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, sending the legislation to the House. Brian Sullivan and Ylan Mui discuss the climate, health care, and tax bill as a “zombified” Build Back Better bill, and White House CEA member Jared Bernstein explains how the Democratic party envisions its impact on inflation, American families, and corporate players. Plus, workers are returning to the office en masse–or are they? Harvard Business School professor Tsedal Neeley and “employee whisperer” Jason Greer discuss the expectations from both employees and employers as the extended WFH season comes to a close.

In this episode:

Tsedal Neely @tsedal

Jason Greer, @LaborDiversity

Jared Bernstein, @econjared

Ylan Mui, @ylanmui

Brian Sullivan, @SullyCNBC

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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Washington Weekend: Competing for Chips & Voting for Billions 8/5/22 Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

President Biden is set to sign the Chips and Science Act, aimed to support US semiconductor manufacturing. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) discusses the bipartisan effort to boost US competitiveness with China and other major chips producers. Also in Washington, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) has finally signed off on the Inflation Reduction Act, the Democrats’ reconciliation bill that includes hundreds of billions of dollars in spending on climate, health care initiatives. CNBC’s Ylan Mui reports that her support could cement the votes needed to pass the bill; the “vote-a-rama” starts this Saturday, so the Senate will be working through the weekend. The Biden administration has declared monkeypox a national health emergency, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb answers questions about its spread, its virulence, and the health system’s path forward. Plus, Visa CEO Al Kelly has issued a statement on the MindGeek child pornography lawsuit, and Warner Bros. Discovery hosted its first earnings call since its merger.

In this episode:

Sen. Maria Cantwell, @SenatorCantwell

Ylan Mui, @ylanmui

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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Pete Buttigieg, Golfers Striking Back, & Fake News Propaganda 8/4/22 Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

Gas prices may have peaked for now, but the road to lower inflation is long. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg discusses the U.S. energy economy and the giant inflation reduction act crafted by Senate Democrats. Pro golfer Phil Mickelson and ten of his co-competitors have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA after their participation in the Saudi-backed LIV tournament prompted suspensions from the PGA Tour. Tom Cruise’s performance in “Top Gun” impressed audiences, but not enough to lift Paramount Global’s stock price. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports that cyber security firm Mandiant has released research on a fake news propaganda ring in China. Plus, Walmart has announced layoffs just a week after cutting its profit outlook.

In this episode:

Pete Buttigieg, @SecretaryPete

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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St. Louis Fed President James Bullard & The Flight Watched ‘Round the World 8/3/22 Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard says, with labor growth as strong as it’s been, it’s unlikely we’ve been in a recession–and we might have brighter economic days to come. In an extended interview, voting FOMC member Bullard discusses America’s path out of inflation, GDP growth in the second half of the year, and geopolitical and global health impacts on our economy. CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon reports on China’s response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s contentious trip to Taiwan. Plus, Instagram’s head is making a big move, and ready to meet your match in the metaverse? Match.com says, not yet.

In this episode:

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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Bill Ackman: The ultimate regulator is Visa 8/2/22 Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

In our continuing coverage of the lawsuit against Pornhub parent MindGeek and Visa, hedge fund investor and Pershing Square billionaire Bill Ackman discusses the next steps he expects Visa and other credit card companies to take to ensure that their tools are not being used for harm. Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund Laila Mickelwait shares how many victims of non-consensual and underage pornography have come forward since the suit was filed. Ackman also weighs in on the recession debate and America’s road map out of inflation. Plus, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has landed in Taiwan.

In this episode:
Bill Ackman, @BillAckman

Laila Mickelwait, @LailaMickelwait

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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The Visa, Pornhub, Bill Ackman Story 8/1/22 Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

A district judge has denied Visa’s motion to be removed from a lawsuit against MindGeek, Pornhub’s owner. The judge upheld the legitimacy of the plaintiff’s allegation that Visa “knowingly” provided the tool for the site to monetize child pornography. Micheal Bowe, the lead attorney for the plaintiff, discusses suit against MindGeek, the fallout for Visa, and the precedent this case could set for all credit card companies. The Ford Foundation is marking five years since investing $1 billion from its endowment into significant social issues. President of the foundation Darren Walker discusses the ESG thesis and shares an update on the fund’s return rate: 28% to date. Plus a lucky Illinoisan is now a billion dollars richer after winning the third largest Mega Millions jackpot in U.S. history.

In this episode:
Darren Walker, @darrenwalker

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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The Gulf Takes the Green, The Influencer’s Influence, & A ‘Really Weird’ Recession 7/29/22 Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

As the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament begins, fans and athletes debate whether pros can simultaneously condemn human rights violations in Saudi Arabia and accept the Kingdom’s prize money. President of LIV Golf Atul Khosla tells CNBC’s Dominic Chu that it’s no different from a private equity fund’s commercial investment: just business. NYT foreign affairs op-ed columnist and author Tom Friedman discusses the geopolitics on New Jersey’s Bedmin green as well as other global headlines. He comments on President Biden’s two-hour phone call with President Xi Jinping, Nancy Pelosi’s upcoming trip to Taiwan, and the impact of China’s role in Ukraine on Sino-American relations. Plus, the power of the Kardashians: Instagram is rolling back its planned app changes after the influencer moguls brought their feedback to Meta.

In this episode:

Tom Friedman, @tomfriedman

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Klaire Odumody, @klairemarie

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Recession, Recession, Recession? 7/28/22 Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

The Federal Reserve has once again hiked interest rates by 0.75%, but the markets breathed a sigh of relief at the central bank’s signal that the peak hikes might be behind us. Today’s GDP data revealed a second consecutive quarter of contraction in the US economy, which traditionally would constitute a recession; however, Fed Chair Jay Powell does not believe our country to be in a recession, despite the data. He, President Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and other economists are considering a different definition of “recession.” Former Vice Chair of the Fed Roger Ferguson unpacks the latest rate hike and the various components of a true recession. Whether or not we’re in one, consumers are feeling inflation’s squeeze on their wallets. President of Kraft Heinz North America Carlos Abrams-Rivera discusses the pressure on American families in the grocery store, and shares ways he’s hoping to keep mac & cheese and the rest of his portfolio accessible through a downturn. Plus, Meta reported its first ever revenue decline, and Washington is negotiating about a trillion dollars of new spending, including a new chapter of the Build, Back, Better agenda, following Sen. Joe Manchin’s surprising deal on certain key issues for Democrats.

In this episode:

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

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Tech’s Quarterly Tea Leaves & Hulu, Open for More Politics 7/27/22 Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

Microsoft and Alphabet both missed analyst expectations in quarterly financial results, pointing to “uncertainty” ahead. Investors were buoyed by certain metrics, though, and Wall Street anxiously awaits the rest of tech’s earnings results. Despite Walmart’s warning to the Street and inflation pressures on the consumer, Visa execs have assured investors that the company hasn’t seen any sign of a spending slowdown. Disney has announced that Hulu will begin accepting political issue ads in addition to political candidate ads. Axios reporter Sara Fischer discusses the details of targeting ads for streamers, and crisis manager Eric Dezenhall explores the risk-reward calculus for Disney and its fellow media giants. And, Twitter is asking shareholders to vote in September for world’s richest man Elon Musk’s bid for the company – which he says he won’t do. But, the continuing fallout from the Wall Street Journal’s reporting about Musk’s alleged affair with Sergey Brin’s wife is what has Joe Kernen asking “just what happened at Art Basel in Miami?”

In this episode:

Sara Fischer, @sarafischer

Eric Dezenhall, @EricDezenhall

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Klaire Odumody, @klairemarie

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Retailers Be Warned & Coffee for Crypto 7/26/22 Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Walmart has issued a dire warning to Wall Street, sending share prices of other retailers lower after cutting its profit outlook. Congress aims to move on U.S. chip manufacturing legislation this week. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) discusses moving the industry to the country’s heartland in the name of national security. Washington lawmakers are aiming to make it easier for consumers to use cryptocurrency in everyday purchases; Ylan Mui reports on plans for a future without a bitcoin capital gains tax for small buys. Plus, more of Elon Musk’s extracurriculars and the EU’s tenuous energy landscape.

In this episode:

Sen. Todd Young @SenToddYoung

Ylan Mui, @ylanmui

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @Andrewrsorkin

Klaire Odumody, @klairemarie

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