Squawk Pod

Latest Episodes:

A Qatari Plane & America’s Character 5/14/25 May 14, 2025

Show notes

As President Trump begins his second day in the Middle East, lawmakers in the House in Washington are working out the details of a reconciliation bill. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy explains what’s on the table and what’s likely to pass, this time around. He also discusses the growing concerns about the Qatari royal family’s offer to gift President Trump a plane to replace Air Force One. Retired Commander of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal discusses the current character of America, including partisan politics. Plus, Tesla CEO Elon Musk may have a new pay package option, fintech Chime has filed for an IPO, and the FAA will meet with major airlines to discuss solutions to issues at Newark Liberty International Airport.

General Stanley McChrystal 12:52

Kevin McCarthy 25:07

In this episode:

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Chaos at Newark 5/13/25 May 13, 2025

Show notes

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is pitching a universal savings account starting at birth, and he has a partner in Silicon Valley: Altimeter’s Brad Gerstner. Gerstner is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum kicks off with President Trump, Elon Musk, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and many other CEOs and leaders. At the Newark Liberty International Airport, flights are delayed amid communication issues and a shortage of air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explains the many issues facing America’s air traffic system, including outdated technology and a backlog of air traffic controllers in training. Plus, House Republicans are inching closer to a tax plan.

Sen. Ted Cruz & Brad Gerstner - 15:37

Sec. Sean Duffy - 35:07

In this episode:

Sean Duffy, @SecDuffy

Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruz

Brad Gerstner, @altcap

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.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the 90 Day Pause 5/12/25 May 12, 2025

Show notes

After a weekend of negotiations in Switzerland, the U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day pause on most of their tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was in the negotiating room, and in his first interview since the meeting, he suggests more meetings between the countries are still to come. CNBC’s Julianna Tatelbaum reports on the news from Geneva, and stateside, the markets recovered most of their losses since March 2nd in early trading immediately following the truce. CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on the ground delay currently in effect at Newark Liberty International, the latest issue for the beleaguered airport. Plus, according to sources, President Trump is poised to accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family, which he would then use as Air Force One.

Julianna Tatelbaum - 04:41

Scott Bessent - 17:43

Phil LeBeau - 32:26

In this episode:

Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessent

Phil LeBeau, @Lebeaucarnews

Julianna Tatelbaum, @CNBCJulianna

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.

Leverage in the U.S. & China, Affirm CEO Max Levchin 5/9/25 May 09, 2025

Show notes

In the latest global trade war development, India could be ready for a trade deal with the U.S. Ahead of the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China this weekend, CNBC contributor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera discusses the leverage of each nation and her observations on her recent trip to China with the Brookings Institution. In Washington, Emily Wilkins reports on the GOP’s tax package, including President Trump’s idea to raise taxes on top earners. Plus, shares of buy now, pay later platform Affirm fell after the company reported a beat on quarterly earnings but a disappointing revenue forecast. CEO and PayPal co-founder Max Levchin discusses the state of consumer spending, the rate of loan repayment delinquencies, and the evolution of payments.

Emily Wilkins - 07:19

Max Levchin - 16:10

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera - 27:18

In this episode:

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, @MCaruso_Cabrera

Max Levchin, @mlevchin

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

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The Fed, A “Fool,” & College Politics 5/8/25 May 08, 2025

Show notes

President Trump has reached a trade deal with the United Kingdom, and the Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates steady. The decision prompted a post from President Trump calling Fed Chair Jay Powell a “fool,” but one that he likes. CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down Chair Powell’s commentary and the latest economic data. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) discusses US competition in AI ahead of his hearing with tech leaders including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and AMD’s Lisa Su. Sen. Cruz discusses the Trump administration’s tariffs and price controls on Medicaid drugs. Plus, Scott Bok was chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s board when the university’s president was pushed out after the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023. In this episode, he discusses the shifting culture and politics both on and toward U.S. college campuses.

Sen. Ted Cruz - 22:42

Scott Bok - 36:10

In this episode:

Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruz

Steve Liesman, @steveliesman

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.

Uber CEO, Lazard CEO, & ‘Versant’ 5/7/25 May 07, 2025

Show notes

The U.S. and China will meet in Switzerland this weekend to negotiate global tariffs. Lazard CEO Peter Orszag discusses the likely outcome of that meeting, including what’s at stake for the global and domestic economies. Plus, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi discusses the company’s latest bookings results, including shifts in pricing for rides, the FTC’s lawsuit over Uber One, Uber’s expansion into Turkey, Uber’s lawsuit against Doordash, and consumer appetite for Uber Eats. Plus, India escalated tension with Pakistan, an appointment at the FDA has prompted a pharma stock drop, and Comcast’s cable spinoff has a name!

Megan Cassella - 03:15

Dara Khosrowshahi - 16:45

Peter Orszag - 35:11

In this episode:

Megan Cassella, @mmcassella

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.

Paul Tudor Jones & Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz 5/6/25 May 06, 2025

Show notes

Legendary investor and risk manager Paul Tudor Jones shares his concerns about AI in an extended interview. He argues, those who are creating and profiting from artificial intelligence should also be investing in its security. Barbie-maker Mattel will increase some toy prices to offset rising costs from tariffs. CEO Ynon Kreiz explains the toymaker’s supply chain in and out of China. Plus, Ford, pharmaceutical companies, and even Hollywood are also working to counter pressures from tariffs, OpenAI is making some changes to its structure, and concerns mount about safety at Newark airport.

Ynon Kreiz - 20:40

Paul Tudor Jones - 28:21

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.

Bill Ackman & Updates from Omaha 5/5/25 May 05, 2025

Show notes

In a surprise announcement at the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting, Warren Buffett announced that Greg Abel will become CEO at year-end. Becky Quick is in Omaha recapping the highlights of that meeting and the shareholder reception to that moment. Meanwhile, Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square will invest $900 million in Howard Hughes, in a move that’s part of what Ackman considers his long-held ambition of building a company like Berkshire Hathaway. Check out the rest of CNBC’s Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting coverage here.

Bill Ackman - 23:04

In this episode:

Bill Ackman, @BillAckman

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

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.

Warren Buffett & the Berkshire Hathaway 2025 Meeting Part 2: The Exit 5/3/25 May 03, 2025

Show notes

In the second of two extended episodes, listeners hear the news that will come to define Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting: Warren Buffett plans to step down at year-end. In another two hours of questions and answers, Buffett shares his thoughts on his recommendation for successor, Greg Abel, as well as Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile. Then, CNBC’s Becky Quick and Mike Santoli discuss Berkshire’s succession plan and the highlights from the meeting with board member Ron Olson. Representative French Hill (R-AR) and his son also join the team, having attended the annual meeting for decades.

Listener’s Guide:

Warren Buffett plans to step down at year-end - 1:57:10

Berkshire board member Ron Olson - 2:16:12

Rep. French Hill - 2:37:00

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Warren Buffett & the Berkshire Hathaway 2025 Meeting Part 1 5/3/25 May 03, 2025

Show notes

In the first of two special supersized episodes, Warren Buffett answers Berkshire Hathaway shareholder questions for hours. Hear the Oracle of Omaha’s entire exchange with the tens of thousands of shareholders in Nebraska for this year’s meeting, including his perspective on global tariffs, his comments to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Berkshire’s cash pile, and his thoughts on investing in Japan. Plus, CNBC’s Becky Quick and Mike Santoli sit down with special guests at the meeting, including Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, Irv Blumkin, CEO of Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Berkshire Automotive CEO Jeff Rachor.

Listener’s guide:

Artisan Partners’ David Samra - 8:10

CNBC’s Steve Kovach - 17:00

Berkshire Automotive CEO Jeff Rachor - 25:05

Q&A Session 1 begins - 32:17

Warren Buffett addresses Apple CEO Tim Cook - 39:00

Warren Buffett addresses tariffs - 49:27

Warren Buffett addresses Japan - 55:17

Halftime Show with CNBC’s Becky Quick & Mike Santoli - 3:02:11

Irv Blumkin, CEO of Nebraska Furniture Mart - 3:13:13

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick - 3:20:24

Berkshire portfolio managers - 3:17:36