Squawk Pod

Gary Cohn was National Economic Council Director in the first Trump administration, and now he’s weighing in on U.S. inflation data and the nation’s future monetary policy. If it were up to him, Cohn says he’d try cutting rates–just a little. Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal are hosts of Acquired, a podcast boasting interviews with guests like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Mark Zuckerberg, and Howard Schultz, as well as a million listeners per episode. Ten years into the project, Gilbert and Rosenthal discuss how they built such a loyal following–and how they monetized in the evolving media landscape. Plus, NYC Democratic Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani spoke directly to corporate America executives this week, and private assets may soon be part of 401(k)s. Gary Cohn - 16:03 Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal - 35:31 In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Federal investigations into prediction betting site Polymarket have been closed, a procedural vote on the $9 rescissions package passed in the Senate, SpaceX is planning an insider share sale, Tesla’s top North American sales executive has left the company, and a robot calls balls and strikes at baseball’s midsummer classic. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

Billionaire philanthropist, Home Depot co-founder, and donor to Andrew Cuomo’s NYC mayoral bid Ken Langone sits for an extended conversation about local politics and the national economy. Langone explains his faith in Cuomo and his perspective on Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani. GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen made his name on social media at the height of the meme-stock craze; now, he’s auctioning off an infamous stapler (and his underwear) on eBay. In a very rare interview, Cohen discusses GameStop’s past and its future. Plus, Starbucks has called corporate employees back to the office four days a week, and Nvidia plans to resume sales of a key AI chip to China. Ryan Cohen - 14:40 Ken Langone - 29:02 In this episode: Ryan Cohen, @ryancohen Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

President Trump is threatening more tariffs on Mexico and the EU, in addition to last week’s threats to Canada. CNBC’s Megan Cassella reports on the likelihood of those tariffs taking effect and the impact the threats have on economic alliances, and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett discusses the tariffs’ impact on the U.S. economy. One of the potential contenders for next Federal Reserve Chair, Hassett discusses the White House’s frustration with sitting Fed Chair Jay Powell, as well as the independence of the central bank. Plus, bank earnings are on deck this week, and Kraft Heinz may be planning to spin condiments off from foods. Megan Cassella - 03:43 Kevin Hassett - 20:06 Leslie Picker - 37:37 In this episode: Leslie Picker, @LesliePicker Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: “Superman” tops the weekend box office, online spending surged thanks to Amazon Prime Days, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is traveling in China, exports from China grew last month, and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is warning about the dangers of private credit – while he wants to up the firm’s investment in private credit markets. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

100 days on the job, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s complicated stance on vaccines and the future of public trust in American health care agencies. The White House is mounting pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell; Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought explains that he’s pushing the central bank on its monetary policy and, more recently, on its building renovations. Plus, President Trump is threatening a 35% tariff on Canada, and Jamie Dimon is speaking out on global markets and on NYC Democratic Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Megan Cassella - 5:06 Dr. Marty Makary - 18:24 Russell Vought - 38:04 In this episode: Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Melissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBC Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: President Trump announces new tariffs on Canada, Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels in Asia, Google will provide cloud-computing services for the U.S. government, Apple is prepping a new range of product releases, and Flutter comes closer to buying FanDuel. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) stood firm on his “no” vote on President Trump’s megabill. He explains why the legislation’s additions to the deficit were too high for him to change his vote, and why he proposed a spending “leash” as a compromise. Rockefeller Capital Management CEO Greg Fleming digs into market performance in 2025. We were due for an adjustment, he says, but the U.S. stock market is resilient, and American exceptionalism is not over yet. Plus, X CEO Linda Yaccarino is stepping down, Ferrero Rocher is buying cereal company WK Kellogg, Nvidia has touched the $4T market cap threshold, and President Trump is threatening a 50% tariff against Brazil for political reasons. Megan Cassella - 7:41 Rand Paul - 21:14 Greg Fleming - 34:59 In this episode: Sen. Rand Paul, @RandPaul Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Contessa Brewer, @contessabrewer Robert Frank, @robtfrank Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In another leadership change, Apple’s COO and presumed Tim Cook successor Jeff Williams has announced his retirement. CNBC’s Steve Kovach discusses Apple’s recent turnover and its strategy to rise to investor and innovator expectations in the AI race. Ripple has selected BNY to be custodian of its stablecoin; CEO Brad Garlinghouse explains his vision for crypto and institutional finance ahead of his testimony in crypto hearings on Capitol Hill. Plus, Philadelphia has ended the worker strike that left garbage pickup stalled, two Squawk Box guests (both named Kevin) may be vying for top spot at the Federal Reserve, and President Trump is threatening more tariffs on pharmaceutical companies. Brad Garlinghouse - 13:41 Steve Kovach - 21:29 In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Melissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBC Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: SpaceX is preparing to sell insider shares, the China unit of Starbucks has attracted offers for a potential stake sale, valuing that business at up to $10 billion, Boeing completed delivery of the most planes since December 2023, the TSA has officially changed shoe policy at airports, and Philadelphia workers have reached a deal with the city, nearing an end to a labor strike that halted garbage collection. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

CEO and President of Atlantic Council Fred Kempe discusses how the Trump administration’s renewed push for trade deals with foreign partners are being factored into the markets–or not. Meta has lured another AI executive to its team with a multi-million dollar compensation package–this time, it’s Ruoming Pang from Apple. Wired Senior Writer Lauren Goode discusses the ongoing tech battle for top AI talent. Plus, the TSA may be changing shoe requirements at the airport, Elon Musk is releasing a new version of his AI bot Grok, and Courtney Reagan reports on the best deals for Prime Day shoppers. In this episode: Lauren Goode, @LaurenGoode Fred Kempe, @FredKempe Courtney Reagan, @CourtReagan Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Melissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBC Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Megan Cassella - 03:18 Courtney Reagan - 16:57 Fred Kempe - 23:15 Lauren Goode - 35:42

In the latest phase of the Trump administration’s tariff strategy, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the foreign nations without deals by August 1st would end up with the tariffs enacted in April. Sec. Bessent then announced that the administration will make “several” trade-related announcements within the next 48 hours, signaling imminent progress even as U.S. tariff deadlines remain in flux. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams discusses his independent bid in the city's mayoral race, including the politics of Andrew Cuomo and the campaign promises of the Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani. Plus, Elon Musk is forming his own political organization called the "America Party," and CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on the negative reaction from some Tesla stockholders. Phil LeBeau - 7:37 Scott Bessent - 13:06 Eric Adams - 30:29 In this episode: Sec. Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessent Eric Adams, @NYCMayor Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

AMERICA’S DEFICIT RECKONING: What happens if the U.S. doesn’t rein in the budget deficit? CNBC interviewed a dozen experts, investors and former government officials over the course of five months to explore the consequences of America’s fiscal path – not how to solve it, but what’s at stake if we don’t. The documentary and podcast series unpacks how rising debt threatens markets, hinders economic growth, and fractures international relations. From trillion-dollar annual interest payments to bond-market tremors to geopolitical vulnerability, CNBC explores the tipping point that the U.S. may be approaching – and whether it’s still possible to change course.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said over the weekend that countries who don’t make a trade deal with the U.S. before August 1st will see their tariff rates revert to what they were in April. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with President Trump at the White House today, Oracle is offering the U.S. government a 75% discount on some of its software, and Rep. Mark Green (R-Tennessee) will resign from Congress this month, temporarily tightening the margin between Democrats and Republicans in the House. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

The House of Representatives began debate on President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending bill following a late-night shift as key Republican holdouts threw their support behind the measure. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) stepped out of an hours long speech from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to fill CNBC’s audience in on the broader implications of the legislation. Microsoft will lay off about 9,000 employees, just under 4% of its global workforce. CNBC’s Steve Kovach and fellow tech journalist Michal Lev-Ram discussed the role of AI in the cuts and the future of tech’s labor force. Meanwhile, U.S. payrolls increased by 147,000 in June, President Trump continues to put pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates, and OpenAI is issuing a warning about Robinhood’s “tokens” in the company. Ro Khanna - 15:28 Steve Kovach & Michal Lev-Ram - 23:03 In this episode: Rep. Ro Khanna, @reprokhanna Michael Lev-Ram, @mlevram Melissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBC Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

In an extended interview, SEC Chair Paul Atkins discusses his vision for the agency. From cutting red tape and rebooting IPOs to expanding retail investors' access to private markets, Atkins outlines what a “new day at the SEC” really means. He addresses his push for a rational crypto framework and his top priorities since taking the helm of the agency in April. Plus, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins joins with the latest developments from Capitol Hill, Sam Altman is calling out Mark Zuckerberg, and Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over its ’60 Minutes’ Kamala Harris interview. Emily Wilkins - 02:58 Paul Atkins - 16:25 In this episode: Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkins Melissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBC Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: the ADP releases its monthly metrics for private sector hiring later this morning, Tesla will release its own second quarter delivery numbers, health insurer Centene has pulled its 2025 earnings guidance, beverage conglomerate Constellation Brands missed quarterly estimates in its latest report, and Netflix and Spotify could be teaming up on a screen near you. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

Senators worked through the night Monday as President Trump’s sweeping legislative package struggled to gain passing support in the Senate. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the record-setting vote-a-rama and what’s at stake for the President’s second-term agenda. RXR chairman and CEO Scott Rechler shares his perspective on the NYC mayoral race, candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign promises, and solutions to the city’s housing shortage. Republic is launching a SpaceX token that offers unaccredited investors an opportunity to invest in the company pre-IPO. Co-CEO Andrew Durgee explains his platform, its regulatory hurdles, and the future of tokenized investing. Plus, CNBC’s Steve Kovach reports on Apple’s plans to overhaul Siri as the company looks for new AI partners. Emily Wilkins - 02:42 Steve Kovach - 10:42 Scott Rechler - 22:33 Andrew Durgee - 32:14 In this episode: Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkins Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Circle applies for a national bank charter, Boeing CFO Brian West prepares to step down, Robinhood launches tokenized shares of OpenAI and SpaceX for users in Europe, NASA strikes a deal to stream live missions on Netflix, and President Trump nears a settlement with Paramount. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

Senators will begin offering amendments to President Donald Trump’s legislative package after a weekend of tense negotiations aimed at advancing his second-term domestic agenda. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins breaks down the so-called “vote-a-rama.” Then, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg reflects on 25 years since the company formed from the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. Meanwhile, Apple’s new film ‘F1,’ produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Brad Pitt, opened in theaters with a strong box office performance. Bruckheimer discusses the film’s success, the future of Hollywood, and the challenge of competing with streaming. Plus, Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, said that he believes billionaires should not exist. Emily Wilkins - 03:47 Hans Vestberg - 22:00 Jerry Bruckheimer - 32:40 In this episode: Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkins Hans Vestberg, @hansvestberg Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY