Squawk Pod

Hours after a mob of pro-Trump rioters breached the United States Capitol and disrupted the Presidential certification process, Congress certified President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the nation’s next leaders. On the ground in DC, CNBC’s Washington Reporter Eamon Javers recaps the day’s chaos and the country’s attempt at recovery. President Trump’s former White Hous...

As Georgia’s final runoff votes are counted, Joe Lonsdale, Palantir co-founder and 8VC founding partner, considers how the state’s races are impacting market volatility. Lonsdale discusses Peloton, Netflix, and other tech stocks on the move as we kick off 2021. Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh has written a new WSJ op-ed on China’s bid for financial supremacy after President Donald Trump signed an...

Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, Chinese tech celebrity, and outspoken innovator in China, has not been seen in public for two months. China Beige Book International CEO Leland Miller discusses why the CCP and the Chinese banking sector might be pleased that Ma is lying low. Miller considers the global community’s theories on Ma’s disappearance and what China’s crackdown on tech means for President...

As the final count in Georgia’s runoff elections draws nearer, Axios co-founder Jim Vandehei breaks down what’s at stake on both sides of the aisle. CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps the other political story in the Peach State: President Trump’s hour-long call with Georgia’s Secretary of State. American vaccinations are underway, but Dr. Scott Gottlieb considers potential speed bumps in the U.S. supply...

In the final episode of the year, CNBC Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon shares life in China, a year after the world’s first case of Covid-19 within its borders. CNBC’s Leslie Picker breaks down the most impressive hedge fund returns of the year. Joe Kernen and Becky ring in New Zealand’s New Year together and reflect on the year that was, both emotionally and financially. Looking to 2021, Axios c...

Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) shares why he remains against upping the American stimulus checks from $600 to $2000 amid the pandemic. CNBC’s Senior Economics Reporter Steve Liesman breaks down the economic arguments on both sides of the stimulus debate. The United Kingdom has approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, and the shot will join the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine distr...

American Airlines is operating the first U.S. flight of the Boeing 737 Max since the craft was grounded in March or 2019. CNBC’s Auto and Airline Industry Reporter Phil LeBeau is on that first flight from Miami to New York. Plus, EU-based cloud communications platform MessageBird is taking on Twilio with its $3B valuation. In the second interview of the $1B+ Club series, MessageBird CEO Robert Vis...

This year has been painful for many businesses, but some tech-focused startups have managed to thrive amid the pandemic. In the $1B+ Club series debut, founder and CEO Klaviyo, Andrew Bialecki, shares how his marketing automation platform quintupled its valuation to $4.15B in the last 10 months. Ping Li, venture capitalist who led Accel’s investment in Klaviyo, discusses how Klaviyo joins a health...

In an original conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, anchors Joe Kernen and Becky Quick reflect on the roller coaster year of the pandemic--market turns, tech glitches, binge watches and all. The two CNBC hosts Zoom in (and out) for a look at what filled their years with gratitude, energy, and hope. Plus, a White Elephant exchange: 2021 predictions, streaming recommendations, and wishes for the ne...

After last minute input from President Trump, the $900B relief bill passed by Congress may be back to the negotiating table. The New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman shares why the situation is “suboptimal” across the board, and he discusses what’s next for lawmakers and Americans awaiting aid. Surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and staff writer for The New Yorker Dr. Atul Gawande discusses...

Apple’s efforts to get its own electric passenger vehicle on the road might finally be picking up speed. The Sunday Times West Coast Correspondent Danny Fortson discusses reports that Apple’s taking on Tesla with its own EV, how the tech giant will do it, and why it makes sense. Plus, Congress has finally passed a $900B relief package for Americans. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Brian...

New strains of the Covid-19 virus have been found in Britain and South Africa and doctors are warning it could be even more contagious than the original strain. Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses what a mutated strain of coronavirus means for vaccine efforts and a global recovery. The pandemic has prompted higher education institutions to rethink tuition costs, and Purdue Univers...

Vice President Mike Pence received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in a televised appearance today in an effort to boost public confidence in its effectiveness. President-elect Joe Biden could be vaccinated as soon as next week. As the country awaits final approval for Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb raises concerns about the shot supply and volume. CNBC...

As the U.S. works to ensure efficient and effective vaccine distribution, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urges Americans to remain cautious while they hope for a healthier future. Officials are recommending pared down holiday celebrations, and the first round of vaccine recipients are lining up to get--and showcase--the jab. Plus, the dealmaker behind the Viacom-CBS merger, Verizon’...

Only 5% to 20% of the coronavirus antibody drugs that have been shipped across the U.S. are being used to treat people who are infected according to CNBC’s Senior Health & Science reporter, Meg Tirrell. Former FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb. says some states may struggle with last-mile logistics of getting therapeutics to patients and administering Covid vaccines. He said “you’re going to se...

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon address the biggest challenges facing the backbone of the American economy: the thousands of small businesses struggling with no sign of federal relief. “It’s an economic war,” says America’s best-known investor, about the uneven prospects of recovery for smaller firms. Buffett urges Congress to do something - now - and...

An historic day after months of research and clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine delivery is underway, with millions of doses being distributed across the country. CNBC Senior Health & Science Reporter Meg Tirrell joins Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin with special guest Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla. Bourla describes the rollout of the life-saving inoculation, reaching do...

Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky sat down with Andrew Ross Sorkin ahead of the company’s landmark IPO. Public listings have been on a tear this year in the market’s epic recovery rally from the coronavirus-fueled rout in March. Airbnb, the company that allows users to book short-term rentals and experiences while traveling, jumped 112% during its first day as a public company yesterday. Ches...

The Food and Drug Administration votes today on whether to recommend the approval of Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. CVS Health Chief Executive Larry Merlo said the company is ready to administer “vaccines into the arms of some of our most vulnerable populations” within 24 to 48 hours upon receiving its share of Covid-19 vaccines. Starbucks lost billions of dollars in...

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he wants Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill with neither legal immunity for businesses nor state and local government relief. Congress is trying to come to agreement on coronavirus relief and government funding before the end of the year, and have a new proposal from the White House to consider. Stimulus checks, liability protections and state an...

The United Kingdom has administered the coronavirus vaccine to its first recipient just 10 months after Covid-19 took hold around the globe. Shopify is making projections for the 2021 shopping season, and President Harley Finkelstein says retail’s future is in the hands of the youngest consumers, entrepreneurs, and social media platforms. Uber sold its self-driving unit to $10B startup Aurora; Ube...

Axios co-founder Mike Allen reveals what he’s watching as we approach the Presidential inauguration on January 20th. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb looks ahead to 2021 as he considers indoor dining safety and vaccine availability. DoorDash and Airbnb are planning their respective IPOs this week, part of a week of debuts that will likely total nearly $8 billion in capital raised. Plus,...

Tom Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs columnist, shares takeaways from his conversation with President-Elect Joe Biden as negotiations for stimulus wear on and coronavirus cases rise. E-document company DocuSign reported a solid third quarter, building on a 200%+ stock rise throughout the pandemic. DocuSign CEO Dan Springer makes the case for all things electronic even after the pandemic en...

Discovery is the latest media company to jump into the streaming wars with Discovery+. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Verizon Consumer Group CEO Ronan Dunne discuss their partnership, the two-tiered streaming service, and the year of ad-free content for 55 million customers. If you’re cashing in some of your Bitcoin this year, the IRS wants to know about it. CNBC’s Sharon Epperson reports that the...

The Nasdaq has proposed a new rule to require its 3,000+ listed companies to disclose Board of Directors demographics. Ursula Burns, former Xerox CEO and board member at Uber, Nestle, and ExxonMobil, joins Ford Foundation president Darren Walker in a discussion about diversity’s impact on the financial bottom line, finding diverse talent, and encouraging evolution in corporate America. Rent the Ru...