Squawk Pod

In 2024, Jeffrey Allen applied to the first season of “Beast Games,” a reality competition show on Amazon Prime Video that was inspired by the Netflix series “Squid Game” and created by YouTuber MrBeast. Why did this California Dad want to be on a game show?  “Beast Games” offered the largest cash prize in history – and Allen wanted to make a difference in the search for a cure for his son Lucas’ rare disease.   Lucas was diagnosed as a toddler with Creatine Transporter Deficiency, or CTD, a rare genetic mutation that blocks the transport of the natural source of e...

More U.S. forces head to the Middle East, following the initial strikes in Iran by the U.S. and Israel. CNBC reporters Dan Murphy and Brian Sullivan on the market and global energy industry’s response.  Veteran and venture capitalist Alex Harstrick describes Operation Epic Fury as, potentially, the first “AI War” and the language barriers between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon when it comes to artificial intelligence.  And, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein looks back on an epic Wall Street career    Dan Murphy          2:27 Brian Sullivan          11:37 Alex Harstrick       24:42 Lloyd Blankfein      34...

OpenAI has closed a staggering $110 billion funding round, more than doubling its record-setting raise from just a year ago. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joins alongside Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to discuss the massive new capital infusion, the details behind OpenAI and Amazon’s $50 billion strategic partnership, and what comes next for agentic AI. Then, IBM vice chairman and former Trump NEC director Gary Cohn reacts to news that Block is cutting 40% of its workforce, citing AI efficiencies. Cohn discusses what those cuts signal about the future of work, the broader economy, and the market’s AI-fueled momentum. Plus, Paramount Skyd...

After reporting a strong quarter, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks to Becky Quick about his company’s future and the future of the AI landscape–including the ongoing standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the agency’s push for reforms and expedited drug approvals, particularly for rare disease therapies. Plus, Beast Games Season 2 finale is out on Amazon Prime, and season three is already in preproduction. Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold discusses his ambitions of building another Disney while producing the most-followed person on the internet, Mr. Beast.    Dr. Marty Mak...

After the President’s State of the Union address, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) discusses his party’s response to the lengthy speech and underscores the affordability crisis facing many Americans. CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps the evening’s highlights, including moments of partisan- and bipartisanship. Then, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz discusses the administration’s push to lower drug prices. Plus, Anthropic has changed its safety policy.  Rep. Josh Gottheimer - 21:28 Dr. Mehmet Oz - 29:44 In this episode: Josh Gottheimer, @RepJoshG Dr. Mehmet Oz, @DrOz ...

Ahead of the President’s State of the Union address tonight, Joe Kernen sits down with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. First, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discusses the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and his outlook for geopolitical shifts in the rest of President Trump’s term. Then, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) discusses tariff confusion and the latest development in Netflix’s and Paramount Skydance’s competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery.    Sen. Ted Cruz - 10:48 Sen. Maria Cantwell - 24:16   In this episode: Ted Cruz, @SenT...

As a major blizzard blankets much of the East Coast, the bigger storm is in Washington. After the Supreme Court of the United States struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy, the President responded with a new 15% tariff on all imports, putting U.S. trade deals and the broader global order in question. CNBC’s Steve Liesman explains the ruling and what comes next. Yale Law School professor and former Biden Treasury official Natasha Sarin debates former Trump economic advisor Stephen Moore on the economic impact and outlook of more tariffs. Then, Washington State Senator Jamie Pedersen discusse...

U.S. Customs will stop collecting IEEPA tariffs on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court deemed them illegal, TSA Pre-Check is once again operational, despite the partial government shutdown, Axios reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will meet with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss the military’s use of Claude AI, Goldman Sachs has raised its end-of-year oil forecast, and “One Battle After Another” won BAFTA’s best film award.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Supreme Court has struck down the President’s tariffs, President Trump is considering a limited military attack against Iran, private credit stocks are sliding, and filmmaker James Cameron is speaking out against Netflix’s bid for Warner Brothers Discovery. Plus, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is now a strategic advisor for the American Gaming Association, and he’s calling out the “prediction market” status of Kalshi and Polymarket. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discusses the state tax policies around the country that are driving businesses and billionaires to his own state.    Chris Christie - 18:19   <...

President Trump says he’ll decide whether to attack Iran in the next 10 days, Johnson & Johnson is reportedly considering selling its orthopedics unit, Amazon’s AI tools sparked two outages at the company’s cloud unit, according to the FT, Live Nation reported strong live concert demand, and President Trump will direct the release of files on “extraterrestrial life.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OpenAI is nearing a $100B+ fundraise, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg testified at a landmark social media addiction trial in California, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Legendary media investor Mario Gabelli discusses the Netflix-Paramount battle for Warner Brothers Discovery’s film and media assets. Plus, as an MSG shareholder, Gabelli weighs in on MSG’s exploration of splitting the Knicks and the Rangers. Two-time Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz shares his perspective on President Trump’s economic agenda, including the impact of tariffs on inflation and consumer sentiment. Happy Birthday, Andrew! Mari...

Amazon stock has snapped a nine day losing streak, oil prices have responded to U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, and “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert is calling out CBS for allegedly blocking the broadcast of his interview with Texas state Rep. James Talarico. The FDA is looking into the safety and supply of baby formula in America with Operation Stork Speed. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains the way formula manufacturing and safety protocols work in the U.S., including why reformulation is often a complicated, expensive process. Dr. Gottlieb also weighs in on the impact that Vinay P...

In the latest chapter of the bidding war for Warner Brothers Discovery’s film and media assets, Paramount Skydance will have 7 days to submit an offer to rival Netflix’s. CNBC’s David Faber breaks down the morning’s news and the week to come. The U.S. and Iran are engaging in nuclear talks today in Geneva, and the U.S. military is at odds with Anthropic over the company’s concerns about the agency’s use of its AI Claude. Plus, mentions in the Epstein Files have prompted career decisions for media executive Casey Wasserman and Hyatt’s former executi...

In a newsmaking interview, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discusses the government’s plan to incentivize whistleblower tips on fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations following the Trump administration’s focus on federally funded social welfare programs in Minnesota. Sec. Bessent also shares his expectation that the Senate confirmation of Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh to proceed, despite Sen. Thom Tillis’s effort to block it. Plus, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Joe Kernen sits down with AT&T Chairman & CEO John Stankey to discuss the infrastructure of the future internet, including fiber optics and satellites. <...

New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores (D) has garnered national attention for his plan to regulate AI, both in New York and across the nation. He explains his view that regulation could support American competitiveness, rather than hinder it. Restaurant Brands chairman Patrick Doyle has a unique view of consumers through the Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons brands. After years of implementing an effective tech strategy at Dominos, Doyle discusses his plans for fast food innovation. Plus, Emily Wilkins reports on the House’s vote to overturn President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Cisco stock dropped 7% after earnings, and...

After a short delay from the brief government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has released January’s jobs data. In a better-than-expected report, the BLS revealed 130,000 jobs added in the first month of 2026, and the agency revised numbers previously reported. CNBC’s Steve Liesman and Rick Santelli join Groundwork Collaborative’s Kitty Richards and The Heritage Foundation’s Peter St. Onge to digest the numbers and what they mean for the Fed and for politics. Plus, Ford reported its worst quarterly earnings miss in years, and innovation in AI is taking a bite out of another sector: financial services. ...

Kalshi won big on Super Bowl Sunday, hosting over $1 billion in trading volumes. CEO and co-founder Tarek Mansour discusses prediction markets, insider trading concerns, and market surveillance. President Trump’s effort to limit institutional investors buying single family homes has run into snags on Capitol Hill. RXR Chairman and CEO Scott Rechler discusses the initiative, affordable housing, and NYC’s uptick in office leasing and luxury home sales. In the latest reports on big tech’s AI capital expenditures, Google parent Alphabet is looking to fund its AI spending by selling rare 100-year bonds. President Trump is reportedly aiming to get bi...

“Please, not that one” Adam Anderson and his wife Brianne thought near the start of their rare disease journey when a doctor listed Tay-Sachs Disease as a potential diagnosis for their young son Drew. Rarer than rare, this genetic metabolic disorder causes progressive brain and spinal cord damage that can lead, often, to death in early childhood.80% of rare diseases have a genetic origin. Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffering from a rare disease can trace the root cause of their symptoms back to an abnormality in their genetic code. For generations, there was no w...

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett discusses America’s economic trajectory, including the jobs market and productivity, inflation, and President Trump’s pick for new Fed chair, Kevin Warsh. Direct-to-consumer telehealth Hims & Hers made waves last month when it announced a cheaper, compounded obesity pill similar to Wegovy. Now, after the FDA warned against compounded GLP-1s, Hims & Hers is backing off. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses competition in obesity drugs, Novo Nordisk’s lawsuit against Hims & Hers, and the importance of vaccines. Plus, the pharma and AI ads at Super Bowl LX, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi s...

Hong Kong media tycoon and vocal Beijing critic Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, President Trump has reversed his position on the Nexstar-Tegna broadcast TV deal, Hims & Hers has pulled its weight loss pill claiming to compete with Wegovy’s obesity pill, Block may lay off 10% of its workforce, and Kroger could be planning to hire a former Walmart executive as its next CEO.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.