Squawk Pod

President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education . If Congress approves the dissolution, former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings argues that states will need to make up for the data, oversight, and funds that the department currently handles for American students. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the spread of avian fl...

In its latest decision, the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady. The U.S. markets rallied on Fed Chair Jay Powell’s comments that the economy is still strong. Nvidia rallied as well; CEO Jensen Huang discussed tariffs , bringing chip manufacturing onshore, and tech innovation. Over a dozen leaders in the U.S. oil and gas industry met at the White House  on Wednesday. Energy Secretary C...

In an extended interview, Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan discusses inflation, trade policy, consumers, and the Federal Reserve. The head of the nation’s second largest bank says, though consumer sentiment is down, spending is up. President Trump has fired both Democratic commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission ; CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the ensuing drama, lawsuits, and...

The Federal Reserve begins its two-day meeting today, but Rockefeller Capital Management CEO Greg Fleming argues that uncertainty around economic factors like tariffs might have the central bank on hold. Google will make its biggest acquisition to date, agreeing to $32B for cloud security startup Wiz . In other news, President Trump and President Putin will meet via phone, and Chinese EV company B...

The US markets are still searching for solid footing, as President Trump’s tariff agenda unfolds. The President’s economic advisor Kevin Hassett explains that April 2nd will bring the certainty and clarity that investors are hoping for. Elon Musk’s work on DOGE in Washington, DC has split his time between government efficiency and leading Tesla, SpaceX, X, and Neuralink. The Wall Street Journal’s...

This week, CEOs convened to discuss their relationship with the White House. Jeff Sonnenfeld from Yale's School of Management shares his thoughts on corporate America's dynamics with the administration, CEO sentiments, and policy impacts. Plus, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he is supporting the Republican's six-month funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. Also, Ontario...

New Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson sits down with CNBC’s Eamon Javers to discuss antitrade policy and his plans for Big Tech, saying he’s “unequivocally” not backing off of a case against Amazon. Plus, former Aetna CEO and current Oscar Health CEO Mark Bertolini weighs in on how to improve the messy, frustrating world of health insurance in what’s been a rocky start to the year for...

As markets react sharply to President Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum , Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner weighs in on the escalating market turmoil and the broader implications of Trump’s trade policies. Amid these developments, CNBC’s Eunice Youn reports from Beijing on talks between China’s Ministry of Commerce and Walmart, which is seeking price reductions from Chinese suppliers to...

Tesla shares have lost 50% of their value ($800B in market cap) since their peak in December, dropping 15% in Monday’s trading session alone. Despite the slide–and Elon Musk’s increased visibility in DC–longtime Tesla shareholder Ron Baron says he's still a believer in the company’s fundamentals and the company’s leader. Tesla comprises 32% of one of his funds, and Baron explains his persistent op...

As Wall Street stumbles on fears of a trade war , National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett discusses the U.S. economy and the uncertainties that are shaking investors. Tariff concerns extend to small businesses, too; Mezcalum co-founders (and Real Housewives of New York stars) Erin and Abe Lichy share how they’re absorbing raised costs in their supply chain for mezcal from Mexico. CNBC’s E...

In an extended interview, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discusses the Trump administration’s tariffs, including the timeline of his trip to Kiev and President Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington, DC. Secretary Bessent considers the strength of the U.S. dollar, President Trump’s executive order establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve , and what he calls the market’s “detox” from excessive government...

As the United States and Canada spar over tariffs, Karina Gould, a candidate for Canadian Prime Minister and former Canadian government House leader, explains Canada’s retaliation against the Trump administration’s tariffs and the Canadian frustration at the current relationship between neighbors. Then, pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz provides insights into swing voters 6 weeks into...

Wednesday marks day two of President Trump’s 25% levies on Mexico and Canada . In his joint address to Congress, the President warned about “a little disturbance” as American industries and neighbors digest his administration’s tariffs. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the rest of the news out of Tuesday’s address, and Phil LeBeau reports that the administration may consider a delay on tariffs for a...

President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada take effect today. Target CEO Brian Cornell sits down with Becky Quick to discuss the impact they’ll have on his business and on price tags for consumers; Cornell warns, costs at checkout will likely go up, and soon. While U.S. stocks and investors waver on the new trade rules , U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explains the long term vision for...

The markets ended February on a low note as investors digest global and domestic uncertainty and prepare for tariffs set to take effect on Tuesday. Cryptocurrency, however, has rallied on President Trump’s announcement of a strategic crypto reserve . In the aftermath of the heated discussion between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, author, editor, and international affairs profes...

Uncertainty from U.S. tariffs and the DOGE agenda has prompted a volatile week in the financial markets . UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited President Trump days ahead of  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Washington visit; both leaders have tariffs and war top of mind. In Texas, a child has become America’s first measles-related death in almost a decade . Former FDA Commissioner Dr. S...

In a rare interview, Stripe CEO John Collison sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin. At 15 years old, the payments company is worth $91.5 billion, but it’s still private. In part, Stripe has avoided going public thanks to tender offers it periodically offers employees and shareholders. In its most recent tender offer, Stripe revealed $1.4 trillion in total payment volume in 2024, and Collison explains...

President Trump has said tariffs on Mexico and Canada will begin next week . Eamon Javers reports from Washington on the tariff messaging from The White House.  Once COO and President of Blackstone and now Chairman of Costco Tony James shares his perspective on the US economy, business strength, and consumer confidence . James considers American business to be slowing down, thanks to uncertainty f...

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives  narrowly passed a multi-trillion-dollar budget plan late Tuesday, advancing President Donald Trump’s tax-cut and border security agenda. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins joins to outline the details of the bill. Then Rep. Ro Khanna discusses the budget’s passage, its impact on Democrats, who benefits from the Trump tax cuts, and his thoughts on proposed...

“Zero Day” writers and producers Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt discuss their limited series political thriller on Netflix. The team discusses Robert De Niro’s performance on the show, as well as the well-timed plotline in today’s political climate. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis weighs in on his DOGE efforts in his own state, Elon Musk’s agenda in Washington, and the evolving rel...

The Department of Justice’s investigation into United Healthcare’s billing practices has highlighted problematic practices across the American health care system, including upcoding. Former CEO of the Cleveland Clinic Dr. Toby Cosgrove explains common abuses in the system, their legacy, and potential solutions. New York Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres stops by the set to discuss how city res...

UnitedHealth stock fell  on a Wall Street Journal report that the DOJ is investigating the insurer’s Medicare billing protocol. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains the nuances of the health insurance system, and he considers how the Trump administration will handle rising cases of bird flu. And big news from Coinbase: CEO Brian Armstrong says the SEC will drop its case against the...

President Trump has declared New York City “saved” from congestion pricing in a recent Truth Social post. President and CEO of the Partnership for New York Kathryn Wylde weighs in whether the state is his to save, and shares the pros and cons for the city’s plan. Palantir is plunging after the CEO Alex Karp unveiled his share sale plan, and President Trump is weighing a plan to offer DOGE dividend...

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has met with NYC officials amid resignations and corruption and quid pro quo allegations in Mayor Eric Adams’s office . NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who attended Gov. Hochul’s meeting and is currently running against Mayor Adams in the 2025 mayoral race, explains his concerns about a “leadership vacuum” in New York . Lander weighs in on immigration policy and the cit...

Palantir CEO and co-founder Alex Karp has written a new book: “The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West.” Karp explains his call to arms for Silicon Valley, underscoring the geopolitics ingrained in Western tech innovation. In Riyadh, the Saudis hosted the U.S. and Russia for discussions to end the Ukraine-Russia War– without the Ukrainians or any other Europ...