Squawk Pod

Microsoft is investing $3.3 billion in an AI strategy in Wisconsin. Steve Case, co-founder of AOL and chairman and CEO of Revolution, discusses his own investments in projects in middle America and his optimism about big tech’s opportunities for economic growth outside of Silicon Valley. Happiness expert, author, AEI president emeritus, and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks weighs in on the turmoil across American college campuses. He’s optimistic about America’s period after unrest, and encourages listeners to love challenges to their perspectives, and to view the world beyond a good/evil binary. Plus, Chinese EV company Zeekr is ready to IPO, and Target is reportedly scaling back its Pride collections this summer.   Steve Case - 12:04Author Brooks - 24:45 In this episode:Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksSteve Case, @SteveCaseJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY 

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) discusses his own party’s push to oust him from his role. He says, lawmakers cannot afford to play petty politics with tensions high at home and abroad. Journalist Johann Hari has taken Ozempic for a year. He says it’s changed his life, but his new book “Magic Pill” details the dangers of weight loss drugs as well as their benefits. Plus, President Biden has given Israel an ultimatum, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery are set to bundle their streaming content, and China’s electric vehicle race is speeding up.  Mike Johnson- 14:12Johann Hari - 27:54 In this episode:Mike Johnson, @SpeakerJohnsonJohann Hari, @johannhari101Joe Kernen,@JoeSquawkBecky Quick,@BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin,@andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Electric vehicle maker Rivian reported a quarterly revenue beat and a cut to its capital spending forecast. CEO RJ Scaringe explains his vision for the future of EVs, the total addressable market, and Rivian’s charging station partnership with Tesla. NBCUniversal Vice Chair Bonnie Hammer has compiled the best–and worst–advice for workers new and seasoned in her new book, “15 Lies Women Are Told at Work…and the Truth We Need to Succeed.” After years in the business, Hammer shares her favorite moments of mentorship, and encourages younger generations to differentiate “personal worth” from “professional worth.” Microsoft will make a $3.3B AI investment in Wisconsin, and the Biden administration has revoked certain licenses to export chips to Huawei, the Chinese tech company. Plus, Disney stock is under pressure, and FTX is officially able to pay its customers back…with interest.   RJ Scaringe 16:00Bonnie Hammer 22:54 In this episode:RJ Scaringe. @RJScaringePhil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsJoe Kernen,@JoeSquawkBecky Quick,@BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin,@andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer,@Kramer_Katie

Duquesne Family Office CEO Stanley Druckenmiller says he was perplexed by the Fed’s pivot, and that the Federal Reserve “fumbled on the five yard line with the game on the line.” In an extended interview, Druckenmiller discusses his famously successful investing track record and his bets on AI. SEC Chair Gary Gensler has put pressure on crypto, recently delivering “Wells Notice” to Robinhood and Consensys; the crypto community is firing back, and he’s ready to defend the SEC’s perspective on Ethereum and its role in protecting investors. Plus, Hims & Hers CEO walked back some of his comments on hiring pro-Palestinian protesters after Wall Street and Main Street pushed back on him and his stock.  Stanley Druckenmiller - 4:15Gary Gensler - 38:40 In this episode:Gary Gensler, @GaryGenslerJoe Kernen,@JoeSquawkBecky Quick,@BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin,@andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer,@Kramer_Katie

We bring you part two of CNBC’s trip to Omaha, Nebraska for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, where tens of thousands of Berkshire shareholders convene to hear from Warren Buffett every spring. It’s part shareholder meeting, part shopping spree, and for Bertie Buffett Elliott, part family reunion. Warren Buffett’s little sister Bertie sits down with Becky Quick in a special conversation about the Buffett family upbringing and her own Warren memories. The highlights of the 2024 meeting include Warren Buffett’s take on AI, his plans for Berkshire’s $182 billion cash pile, and his pieces of advice for all listeners, old and young. Plus, catch a cameo from the Harlem Globetrotters and celebrity shareholder Bill Murray, as well as a conversation between venture capitalist Ann Winblad and CNBC’s Mike Santoli and Becky Quick. 

We bring you to Omaha, Nebraska, with the tens of thousands of Berkshire shareholders that make the pilgrimage to Warren Buffett every spring. Hear the best of the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, including why Buffett trimmed his stake in Apple, how he made a losing bet on Paramount, and what Berkshire looks like, after he’s gone. Plus, the highlights from the convention center floor, where Berkshire’s 60+ portfolio companies sell their wares to fans. See’s Candy CEO Pat Egan, Lubrizol CEO Rebecca Liebert, and Pilot CEO Adam Wright are all ready to dazzle the Berkshire attendees. Plus, hear from shareholders themselves! The 14-year-old Warren Buffett fan Daphne Kalir-Starr is back for her 7th annual meeting, and she’s more “invested” than ever. 

“I’m an accidental guru.” He was irreverent, he was focused, he was one of the world’s most successful investors, and he was one of a kind. Billionaire investor Charlie Munger, the longtime right-hand man and close friend of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, died a few weeks shy of what would have been his 100th birthday. Becky Quick, Squawk Box co-host, interviewed Munger two weeks before his death in his home in Los Angeles. In this special conversation, Charlie Munger reflects on his century of life, the childhood traumas that shaped him, the investing wins and losses that made his career, and the perspective and knowledge he gained in his final years. For more, revisit our 2021 Squawk Pod series, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger: A Wealth of Wisdom. Squawk Pod is produced by Katie Kramer, Cameron Costa, Karoline Rouhotas and Zach Vallese.  CNBC’s Managing Editor is Lacy O’Toole. John Lazration edited this podcast series.

Becky Quick is in Omaha, Nebraska, awaiting the tens of thousands of Berkshire Hathaway investors attending the company’s annual shareholders meeting, where Warren Buffett will hold court. This year is the first annual meeting without the late Vice Chair Charlie Munger; Berkshire Hathaway lead director Sue Decker sits down with Becky Quick to discuss Munger’s legacy and the future of Berkshire. Plus, CEOs of Berkshire’s portfolio companies join Becky, BNSF CEO Katie Farmer, who discusses the headwinds for her railway business, and Brooks Running CEO Dan Sheridan, who’s eyeing running business in China. Plus, longtime shareholder and GAMCO CEO Mario Gabelli stops by, for an extended conversation about the markets, media consolidation, and Warren Buffett’s leadership. Tune into CNBC’s TV and digital channels this weekend to catch every minute of the 2024 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting coverage. Sue Decker 5:21Dan Sheridan 17:16Katie Farmer 24:48Mario Gabelli 32:54In this episode:Mario Gabelli, @MarioGabelliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Approximately 300 people were arrested when the NYPD responded to protests at Columbia University and the nearby City College of New York. New York City Mayor Eric Adams discusses the city’s crackdown on college campus protests, the radicalization of youths, the immigration crisis, and more. House Select Committee on China Member Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) discusses the Biden administration’s sanctions on Chinese companies over suspected support for Russia in its war against Ukraine, as well as the fate of TikTok in the U.S. The Federal Reserve is holding rates steady; Stifel Chief Economist Lindsey Piegza breaks down the next steps in the Fed’s inflation fight. Plus, Tesla has reneged internship offers amid layoffs, and the National Labor Relations Board says Amazon CEO Andy Jassy broke federal labor law in his interviews with press. Mayor Eric Adams - 15:49Ro Khanna - 28:24In this episode:Eric Adams, @NYCMayorRo Khanna, @RoKhannaLindsey Piegza, @LindseyPiegzaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Overnight, NYPD officers entered Columbia University’s campus and made roughly 100 arrests of protesters. Lawyer Jay Edelson filed a lawsuit against the school on behalf of a Jewish student who argues that the university failed to provide a safe learning environment. Edelson discusses the case and the stakes for schools across the country. Axios and Politico co-founder Jim VandeHei looks ahead to the 2024 election and former President Donald Trump’s plans for the country, should he win another term. Plus, Starbucks stock took a spill after its latest quarterly report, and cannabis is headed for a downgrade from the FDA.  Jay Edelson - 13:52Jim VandeHei - 26:05 In this episode:Jim VandeHei, @JimVandeHeiJay Edelson, @jayedelsonJoe Kernen,@JoeSquawkBecky Quick,@BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin,@andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Paramount Global is replacing CEO Bob Bakish with three executives in the Office of the CEO. Puck founding partner Matthew Belloni explains the uncertain future for the media company, as well as the possible outcomes for shareholders. Actor Edward Norton has spent enough time in board meetings to know that it’s time to bring corporate governance decisions into 2024. He says his new tech company Zeck is his hope for streamlined board meetings. CNBC’s Steve Liesman says the latest Fed survey respondents are pushing their rate cut forecasts further out. On college campuses, tensions are escalating; Columbia protesters stormed and occupied a university building. Trump Media stock has been on a roller coaster, and NBCUniversal is reportedly preparing a bid for NBA rights. Plus, CNBC is your ticket to this Saturday’s Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting with Warren Buffett. If you’re a shareholder and have a question for the Oracle of Omaha or his board, submit it to berkshirequestions@cnbc.com. Our own Becky Quick will select a few of those submissions to ask during the meeting.  Steve Liesman - 04:47Matt Belloni - 12:44Edward Norton - 18:09 In this episode:Edward Norton, @EdwardNortonMatthew Belloni, @mattbelloniJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Elon Musk took a brief surprise meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, securing tentative approval for self-driving Teslas in China. America’s college campuses are divided over the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. involvement in it; former SEC Chairman and Ivy League educator Jay Clayton discusses the sentiment among activists and young people across the country. Retired real estate developer Bruce Ratner issues a warning for his industry. The man behind the redeveloped Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn is also on the board of Memorial Sloan Kettering, and he’s pushing for early cancer detection in his new book. Plus, regulators seized Republic First Bank in the first bank failure of 2024, and journalists are catching up on the jokes from this weekend’s White House correspondents’ dinner.   Jay Clayton - 12:23Bruce Ratner - 23:19 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Former President Donald Trump's political allies are crafting a plan to increase his influence over the Federal Reserve, potentially even making him an "acting" member of the central bank’s board, according to The Wall Street Journal. Nick Timiraos, the Journal's Chief Economics Correspondent, discusses the implications if Trump wins in November. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb weighs in on Moderna's partnership with OpenAI, the AI drug revolution, his own AI venture, and updates on the bird flu presence in America’s pasteurized milk. Plus, CNBC's Steve Kovach breaks down Alphabet and Microsoft earnings and explores the future of AI investment for the megacap tech companies. Nick Timiraos - 10:08Steve Kovach - 17:22Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 22:12.In this episode:Nick Timiraos, @NickTimiraosScott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

The Federal Trade Commission voted for a nationwide ban against noncompete agreements, which companies use to prevent employees from taking jobs with competitors in the same industry. FTC Chair Lina Khan addresses the agency's decision for the ban, as well as the potential impacts on businesses and workers. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican colleagues faced opposition when they appeared at Columbia University amid ongoing protests against Israel's conflict with Hamas. Robert Kraft, New England Patriots owner and founder of the Kraft Group and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, discusses the recent protests at Columbia University and other campuses and the concerning rise of antisemitism and his efforts to combat it. Plus, the Biden administration introduces new rules for airlines, mandating automatic cash refunds and prohibiting surprise fees. Lina Khan - 04:05Robert Kraft - 24:14 In this episode:Lina Khan, @linakhanftcJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Google has fired 50 employees over sit-in protests at the office. Yale Lecturer Joanne Lipman and The Verge’s Alex Heath discuss activism in the office, and tech’s inflection point with its employees. Jason Furman, a Democrat economist, is making his case against President Biden’s student debt relief plan, arguing that it will make inflation worse. CNBC’s Steve Liesman is breaking down U.S. productivity data and what it means for the Federal Reserve. Plus, the Federal Trade Commission has voted to ban non-competes for employee contracts, Jamie Dimon is speaking out with his concerns for the economy, and Meta’s AI glasses are getting an update.  Joanne Lipman & Alex Heath - 19:35Steve Liesman - 27:14Jason Furman - 30:28 In this episode:Joanne Lipman, @joannelipmanAlex Heath, @alexeheathSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJason Furman, @jasonfurmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Elite university campuses are fraught with tension as students clash with each other and college administrations over the Israel-Hamas War. Over 100 students have been arrested from pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Yale, NYU, and Columbia campuses, videos of brazen antisemitism have gone viral, and one Rabbi in Columbia’s community encouraged Jewish students to go home for their own safety. NYC Rabbi David Ingber explains the escalations and safety concerns, while donor and Columbia Business School alumnus Leon Cooperman discusses the responsibilities of higher education institutions. Plus, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz maps out the Federal Reserve’s road ahead, and Elon Musk is at odds with Australia’s Prime Minister over posts on X.  Rabbi David Ingber - 12:11Leon Cooperman - 22:44Joseph Stiglitz - 26:26 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

At Columbia in New York, protests and antisemitism on campus have prompted a day of remote learning for student safety, as well as commentary from Mayor Eric Adams. In DC, the House has passed a series of bills securing aid funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as the divest-or-ban TikTok bill. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the legislation and its impact on Speaker Mike Johnson’s career. In the thick of Wall Street’s earnings season, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg discusses his company’s latest financial results and inflation’s pressures on consumers. Plus, pollster Frank Luntz is taking stock of Gen Z’s opinions on capitalism and democracy. He urges corporate America to pay attention to their grievances.  Emily Wilkins - 03:16Frank Luntz - 09:55Hans Vestberg - 19:42 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

After Israel’s retaliatory strike at Iran, NBC’s Raf Sanchez is on the ground in Tel Aviv, reporting that both countries are downplaying an escalation. Stateside, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins discusses the TikTok divest-or-ban bill’s road through Congress, including its vote this weekend. Former White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra explains the national security threats and TikTok’s road ahead. Plus, Meta has launched its newest AI tool, former President Trump’s criminal trial jury has been selected, and HGTV’s Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott discuss the housing market, maximizing value, and flipping for profit.  Raf Sanchez - 02:49Emily Wilkins - 13:32Aneesh Chopra - 16:43Drew & Jonathan Scott - 23:53 In this episode:Raf Sanchez, @rafsanchezEmily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Caitlin Clark will make under $77,000 a year as the WNBA’s top pick, while her counterpart in the NBA will make $10.5m. CNBC’s Jon Fortt explains the gender gap in sports salaries and in revenues. Microsoft has found that Russia’s election interference is already underway; the company’s former cyber policy head and current chief public policy officer at SentinelOne Chris Krebs says it’s a group effort, to keep global votes safe from bad actors. Plus, Google employees were laid off after protesting, President Biden is reimposing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, and The Wall Street Journal uncovered Amazon’s secret operation to gather intel on competitors like Walmart: Big River. Plus, Squawk Pod is nominated for a Webby Award! It’s your last day to vote for us, so don’t forget to show your support here. If you haven’t heard our nominated episode, check out our special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Steve Kovach - 12:54Chris Krebs - 17:55 In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJon Fortt, @jonforttMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Months after a Delaware judge voided Elon Musk’s pay package from Tesla, Tesla is asking shareholders to vote again on Musk’s $56B compensation deal. In a proxy statement, the company is also asking shareholders to approve moving Tesla’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas. Tulane Law professor Ann Lipton parses the proxy and the legal precedent for this shareholder vote. President Biden is hoping to triple the China tariff rate on steel and aluminum imports, and Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is signaling a longer wait for rate cuts. Plus, the 2024 Paris Olympics are 100 days away! Olympians Maggie Steffens, the Team USA Women’s Water Polo Captain, her teammate Ashleigh Johnson, and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Paralympian Courtney Ryan say their training is just as intense as ever. And don’t forget to show your support for Squawk Pod! We’re up for a Webby Award, but we can’t win without your votes. Vote for Squawk Pod here, and check out our nominated special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Ann Lipton 15:08Ashleigh Johnson, Courtney Ryan, Maggie Steffens - 26:12 In this episode:Ashleigh Johnson, @theAshJohnsonMaggie Steffens, @maggiesteffensMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie