Squawk Pod

The SEC has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk , alleging the billionaire underpaid for his shares of Twitter by at least $150 million. In big tech, Microsoft is cutting back on spending, and Meta will lay off 5% of its workforce. Ahead of the inauguration next week, former Speaker Paul Ryan discusses the GOP’s road forward and the unity required for a successful reconciliation bill. As LA plans it...

Four business days before he resigns on Inauguration Day, SEC Chair Gary Gensler reflects on his tenure at the agency, his relationship with the crypto community, and his legacy for investors across asset classes. In his exit interview before the SEC transitions to new leadership in a new administration, Gensler discusses legitimacy for various tokens on the blockchain, as well as the future of fi...

As Los Angeles fires continue , LA sports teams have partnered with Fanatics to contribute to the LA Fire Department Foundation and the American Red Cross. 100% of the proceeds from the “LA Strong” team-branded t-shirts will be donated; it’s part of Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin’s plan to support those affected by the devastation. CNBC’s Contessa Brewer offers insight on the efforts to rebuild from h...

The Department of Justice and the SEC have filed civil and criminal charges against short seller Andrew Left. In a rare pre-trial interview, Left sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss the case, the trades in Nvidia, Tesla, and others that are under scrutiny, and what the litigation means for other activist short sellers, including their posts on social media. Plus, the latest jobs report bl...

Today the nation remembers President Jimmy Carter, whose state funeral is taking place in Washington. Stuart Eizenstat, who served as White House Domestic Policy Advisor under President Carter, delivers one of the eulogies during the funeral; in an interview beforehand, he reflects on his time working with the late President, as well as Carter’s economic legacy. Private equity firms aren’t like th...

In a news conference lasting over an hour at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Trump discussed the addition of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Canada to the United States . Axios senior political reporter Marc Caputo explains that after over a decade of Donald Trump in American headlines, the public should take him seriously–at least some of the time. Trump also weighed in on the changes underway at Me...

With just over a week left in her role as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan reflects on her four years regulating corporate mergers and acquisitions. In an extended sit down interview, she discusses her hopes for her successor and weighs in on big tech’s goals to stay big in the coming years. Meta is making big changes; the UFC’s Dana White will join the company’s board , and Meta i...

After House Speaker Mike Johnson’s dramatic reelection , the lawmaker and President-elect Trump are reportedly planning a sweeping, multi-trillion dollar piece of legislation. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy discusses the GOP’s position heading into the inauguration, as well as the future of DOGE, potential tariffs , and Elon Musk’s role in the incoming administration. During his last weeks in offic...

Bourbon Street in New Orleans has reopened with a heavy police presence after the New Year’s Day attack that killed 14 people. Walter Isaacson, a Tulane University professor and New Orleans resident, weighs in on the city’s resilience. Next, college football’s inaugural 12 team playoff brought a revenue surge to college sports. Sports Business Journal editor Abe Madkour discusses the blowouts and...

Happy New Year! 2025 brings executive turnover to multiple corporate teams, including Apple, which is replacing its CFO , and Disney, where Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman is helping find a successor to Bob Iger . Dartmouth Tuck School of Business professor Paul Argenti weighs the succession plans at both companies. And this January, we’re in the thick of cold, flu, RSV, and norovirus ; former FDA C...

In what U.S. Treasury officials described as a “major incident,” a state-sponsored Chinese hacking operation was able to access third-party software to tap into Treasury employees’ desktop computers. Theresa Payton, CEO of cybersecurity company Fortalice Solutions and former White House Chief Information Officer, discusses the implications of the hack. Next, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins breaks down why th...

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at age 100 . Roger Altman served as assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury under President Carter, and he reflects on former President Carter’s legacy in and after the White House. Next, The Wall Street Journal’s Tim Higgins discusses the rift between members of President-elect Trump’s inner circle and Elon Musk over immigration and H-1B visas. H...

Recent rifts in MAGA-world have taken place both online and in the House Chamber. On X, Elon Musk is sparring with far-right activist Laura Loomer over HB-1 visas, dividing Musk fans. During the government funding battle last week, President-elect Trump criticized Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a vocal opponent of the Trump-backed spending bill. Rep. Roy explains his and the other 37 GOP votes against t...

Disney has reclaimed the top box office market share this year with “Moana 2,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Deadpool and Wolverine.” CNBC’s Julia Boorstin reports on the booms and the bust of the Lion King prequel “Mufasa.” Next, Aman Advani, CEO of the workleisure company Ministry of Supply, discusses the challenge that President-elect Trump’s tariffs pose to retailers and the potential cost of reshoring...

While Elon Musk’s close relationship with President-elect Trump may seem unprecedented, U.S. CEOs have been fostering relationships with the Oval Office for over a century, according to Tevi Troy of Ronald Reagan Institute. One example: Henry Ford and President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Next, it’s Christmas Eve! The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is back with its Santa tracking...

Private health insurance companies are in the spotlight, as public frustration with the American health system grows. Wendell Potter was once vice president of Cigna, until the work convinced him to quit the industry completely. In a recent op-ed, Potter highlights the pressure shareholders have placed on public health companies, and where the industry can go from here. Next, The Wall Street Journ...

A government shutdown looms this Friday, and Congress is scrambling to find a funding bill that both parties will approve. The rush comes after President-elect Trump (and Elon Musk) scrapped a bill, and then a short term bill backed by both Trump and Musk failed to pass on Thursday . Emily Wilkins reports from DC on plans for “plan C,” and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) discusses the likeli...

The Friday night deadline is looming for Congress to avoid a government shutdown after President-elect Trump, with the help of Elon Musk, sunk a compromise government funding bill . Representative Pete Sessions (R-Texas), DOGE Caucus Co-Chair, discusses where the negotiations stand and says he wants a “clean” continuing resolution without extraneous items. Next, Yale School of Management’s Jeffrey...

Congressional leaders have unveiled a 1,547-page stopgap spending bill that intends to avoid a government shutdown by the end of the week. The bill includes funding for disaster aid and farmers, reforms for pharmacy benefit managers, pay raises for lawmakers, and more. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins has the latest on the hurdles Congress faces to pass the legislation. Next, MSNBC Morning Joe co-host Joe Sca...

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan sits down with Becky Quick on the Bank of America trading floor. He discusses his market outlook for 2025, the current state of the consumer, the Federal Reserve’s next move, and the incoming Trump administration, including M&A and tariffs. Next, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) discuss their bipartisan bill: the “Take It Down” Act would f...

Drones have been spotted flying above New Jersey over the past several days, sparking concern among residents and local lawmakers. New Jersey Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is urging action and clear communication from the federal government to quell public concern. Elon Musk biographer Walter Isaacson discusses Musk’s DOGE leadership and his...

President-elect Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for his inauguration next month. CNBC Beijing Bureau chief Eunice Yoon says it’s unlikely that Xi will attend, but shares her insight on Trump’s China policy, including the threat of tariffs and his stance on Taiwan. Next, Spanx founder Sara Blakely has a new venture: a high-heeled sneaker called “Sneex.” The s...

New bipartisan legislation in Washington aims to break up pharmacy benefit managers after years of scrutiny on PBMs from Congress and the FTC. Health care insurance executive Mark Bertolini is now CEO of Oscar Health, and he spent years leading Aetna and CVS Health. Today, he reflects on American health care, his vision for an improved system, and his own security detail in the wake of UnitedHealt...

Two major corporate deals withered on Tuesday. A judge blocked the pending $25 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons , and President Biden reportedly plans to block U.S. Steel’s $14.1 billion sale to Nippon Steel. Dealmaking on public markets will continue in 2025, according to Lead Edge Capital founding partner Mitchell Green. The Alibaba, Uber, and Spotify backer discusses the I...

New York prosecutors have charged Ivy League grad Luigi Mangione with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , court records show. Though a manhunt is over for now, the health care industry may be ready for change. Next, Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Karim Sadjapour examines the power vacuum in Syria and the new leadership’s agenda for the nation. Plus, Dunkin' Donuts is making waves...