Squawk Pod

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The Queen of Cable & the U.S. Education Secretary 5/28/25 May 28, 2025

Show notes

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon discusses the Trump administration’s feud with Harvard, as well as the idea of taxing well-endowed universities more like corporations. Bonnie Hammer, former Vice Chair of NBCUniversal and dubbed the “queen of cable,” discusses the future of streamed and linear content. This graduation season, Hammer warns that AI could be more a hindrance than a help for fresh applicants on the job hunt. Plus, Elon Musk has expressed doubts about the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill,” and CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos is in Las Vegas with the crypto world for Bitcoin 2025.

MacKenzie Sigalos - 07:30

Linda McMahon - 16:21

Bonnie Hammer - 30:20

In this episode:

Sec. Linda McMahon, @EDSecMcMahon

MacKenzie Sigalos, @KenzieSigalos

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tariffs on the EU & Consumer Tastes 5/27/25 May 27, 2025

Show notes

After a whiplash weekend of trade news, the U.S. will institute a 50% tariff on goods from the EU, starting in July. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett discusses the goals for ongoing negotiations and offers a hint at new trade deals coming soon. Ray Washburne sits on the boards of Sunoco and Red Lobster, and he’s invested in luxury retail centers, offices, and restaurants. Based on his exposure to the American consumer, Washburne warns about consumer debt and suggests watching diesel as a barometer for U.S. economic and consumer health. Plus, Disney’s live-action remake of “Lilo and Stitch” led the box office over the long weekend, Japan’s long-dated bond yields have fallen, and Elon Musk will now be “super focused” on X, xAI, and Tesla.

Ray Washburne - 14:20

Kevin Hassett - 31:37

In this episode:

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Oz, MAHA, & David Rubenstein 5/23/25 May 23, 2025

Show notes

Co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group David Rubenstein addresses President Trump’s latest social media post threatening a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones made outside the U.S., as well as the bond market and the ongoing tension between America’s Ivy League institutions and the Oval Office. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz explains his perspective on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” effort and proposed changes to Medicaid work requirements and SNAP benefits. Plus, President Trump hosted a dinner with top holders of the $TRUMP meme coin, and the Supreme Court ruled that the President could fire some leaders of independent federal agencies. However, SCOTUS strongly suggested that terminations at the Federal Reserve would be handled differently.

MacKenzie Sigalos - 08:16

David Rubenstein - 19:49

Dr. Mehmet Oz - 41:54

In this episode:

Dr. Mehmet Oz, @DrOzCMS

David Rubenstein, @DM_Rubenstein

MacKenzie Sigalos, @KenzieSigalos

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Tight House Vote & OpenAI’s New AI Device 5/22/25 May 22, 2025

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After a near all-nighter of debate and amendments, House lawmakers passed President Trump’s mega-bill. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins explains the long road to a tight vote, and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) discusses his own shift from a “nay” to a “yea” vote. Rep. Roy is hopeful that more revisions will be made during the legislation’s next stop in the Senate, namely those addressing his concerns about the deficit and Medicaid. OpenAI is bringing in ex-Apple innovator and designer Jony Ive to build a new, mystery project. In Washington, authorities have identified and detained the gunman in the killing of two Israel embassy staff. Plus, ahead of the holiday weekend, Brian Kelly (The Points Guy) shares travel trends among Americans.

Steve Kovach - 4:28

Rep. Chip Roy - 17:29

Brian Kelly - 30:17

In this episode:

Emily Wilkins,@emrwilkins

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Barry Diller Breaks Down the Battle for Media’s Future 05/21/25 May 21, 2025

Show notes

On this special episode of Squawk Pod, media icon Barry Diller reflects on his career and the release of his new memoir Who Knew. He discusses launching Fox with Rupert Murdoch, a bitter legal feud with John Malone, and high-stakes negotiations. Diller offers his insights into the evolving media landscape, warning that tech giants now control the industry’s future. He also opens up about his personal life lessons, his marriage to Diane von Furstenberg, and how fear shaped his fearlessness in business. An important conversation with one of media’s most influential figures.

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Tax Bill’s Final Hours & Zero-Click Search 5/21/25 May 21, 2025

Show notes

GOP leaders are working to finalize President Trump’s cornerstone legislation: a massive tax bill, with Speaker Mike Johnson pushing for a floor vote in the House as early as tonight. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports the latest developments from Washington. Deputy Treasury Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner Michael Faulkender discusses the reconciliation bill, budget details, Medicaid reforms, efforts to reduce the federal deficit, the state of the IRS, and plans to modernize the agency. And, internet search is changing drastically; Cloudflare co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince weighs the impact of zero-click searches – where a user gets answers and information without further links and AI’s disruption of the search and creator economies. Meanwhile, Target lowers its sales outlook, citing tariff uncertainty and backlash over its DEI policy rollback. Plus, the FAA extends flight restrictions at Newark airport through June due to an air traffic controller shortage and ongoing technical issues.

Michael Faulkender 25:46

Matthew Prince 40:04

Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkins

Courtney Reagan, @courtreagan

Michael Faulkender, @TreasuryDepSec

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who is the real Sam Altman? 5/20/25 May 20, 2025

Show notes

After conducting over 300 interviews and spending seven years reporting on artificial intelligence, tech journalist and Empire of AI author Karen Hao discusses the story behind OpenAI and its founder Sam Altman, the current state of AI development, the potential risks and benefits of the technology, and the company's relationship with Microsoft. Then, Mike Gallagher, head of defense at Palantir Technologies and former U.S. Congressman, shares insights on the U.S.-China tech conflict, the dangers of using Huawei chips, the role of American companies operating in China, and the future of Taiwan. Plus, Home Depot reaffirmed its full-year guidance and said it will not raise prices due to tariffs, and Republicans are making progress on advancing a bill aligned with former President Trump’s agenda in the House.

Mike Gallagher 19:52

Karen Hao 29:20

Emily Wilkins,@emrwilkins

Mike Gallagher, @RepGallagher

Karen Hao, @_KarenHao

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Walter Isaacson & Business Roundtable CEO Josh Bolten 5/19/25 May 19, 2025

Show notes

The House Budget Committee advanced President Trump’s multi trillion-dollar domestic policy package Sunday night, just two days after conservatives voted to reject it. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on this and President Trump’s clash with Walmart over tariff-driven price hikes. Walter Isaacson, biographer and Tulane professor, discusses gene editing breakthroughs and biotech innovation amid federal funding cuts, as well as the White House’s relationship with corporate America’s leaders. Then, Business Roundtable CEO Josh Bolten weighs in on how CEOs are responding to Trump-era policies, including the President’s trade agenda. Plus, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has announced plans to acquire most of 23andMe’s assets for $256 million.

Walter Issacson 18:22

Josh Bolten 28:39

In this episode:

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Walter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacson

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Orange Pill with Mike Novogratz & President Trump vs. Tim Cook 5/16/25 May 16, 2025

Show notes

As President Trump wraps up his trip to the Middle East, Yale’s School of Management Jeffrey Sonnenfeld discusses the president’s comments about Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as what they indicate about the relationships between corner offices and the oval office. Galaxy’s Mike Novogratz has been a crypto bull for years; today, his company lists on the Nasdaq in the latest chapter of society’s “orange pilling” of crypto. Novogratz discusses the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and macroeconomics. CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos shares Eric Trump’s comments on his family’s bitcoin venture. Plus, cable companies Charter and Cox are merging, New Jersey Transit engineers are on strike, and Tiktok has launched a guided meditation for kids.

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld - 13:29

MacKenzie Sigalos - 24:25

Mike Novogratz - 27:18

In this episode:

Michael Novogratz, @novogratz

MacKenzie Sigalos, @KenzieSigalos

Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alexis Ohanian’s New Stake in Chelsea Women FC 5/15/25 May 15, 2025

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