Squawk Pod

Treasury Secretary under President George W. Bush Hank Paulson and Treasury Secretary under President Barack Obama Tim Geithner sat down with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Economic Strategy Group Forum. In a wide-ranging conversation, Geithner and Paulson–two pivotal characters in the 2008 financial crisis–weigh in on tariffs, economic data, and the independence of the Federal Reserve. Geithner and Paulson underscore the resilience and strength of the American economy, despite slowing growth and tariff uncertainty. In this episode: Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Disney CFO Hugh Johnston speaks to Julia Boorstin, Joe Kernen, and Becky Quick about Disney’s strong quarterly results and news coming from its subsidiary, ESPN. The sports network will acquire 10% of the NFL and will launch a direct-to-consumer sports streaming product, sidestepping cable. From the Aspen Economic Strategy Group Forum, Andrew Ross Sorkin sits down with Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari to discuss the independence of the Fed, the President’s tariff agenda, and what he’s extrapolating from the last month of economic datapoints. Plus, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cut $500m in mRNA vaccine contracts, and ChatGPT’s parent company is in talks with investors about a share sale at an eye-popping valuation for the still-private OpenAI: $500 billion dollars. Hugh Johnston - 19:16 Neel Kashkari - 32:01 In this episode: Julia Boorstin, @JBoorstin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

President Trump dials into Squawk Box for an extended conversation spanning the looming Fed Chair nominations, tariffs, and the U.S. economy. He confirms that Kevin Warsh, Kevin Hassett, and two others are in the running to lead the central bank after Jerome Powell’s departure, but Treasury Scott Bessent will stay in his current role. While many trade negotiations are still in progress, President Trump shares details on his talks with India, China, and Switzerland, and warns that pharmaceutical tariffs will take effect soon. Plus, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House is preparing an executive order that could fine banks for dropping customers for “political reasons.” President Trump weighs in with complaints of his own, including at Bank of America. In this episode: President Trump, @realDonaldTrump Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

President Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer on Friday, after the agency reported a weak jobs report for the month of July. In the aftermath, the White House’s National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett discusses the decision and the concerned backlash it prompted. Elaine Chao served as Labor Secretary for eight years under President George W. Bush; she explains how BLS reports are calculated and shared with the public, and she underscores the importance of integrity in the agency. CNBC’s Steve Liesman and Rick Santelli debate the impact this jobs report has had on the markets as well as what it means for the larger economy. Plus, Tesla has awarded Elon Musk $29 billion worth of Tesla shares, and shares of Berkshire Hathaway dipped after the company reported lower-than-expected earnings. Kevin Hassett - 19:20 Rick Santelli and Steve Liesman - 34:13 Elaine Chao - 39:42 In this episode: Steve Liesman, @steveliesman Rick Santelli, @RickSantelli 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: Tesla’s board has approved a 96 million share compensation for Elon Musk, President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney may meet over the next few days, OPEC+ will raise oil production next month, The Athletic is reporting that ESPN will acquire NFL Red Zone, and Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” saw a 66% drop in box office sales since its debut weekend. 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.

President Trump has ratcheted up tariffs for dozens of countries set to take effect next week. Apple reported its greatest revenue growth in years, Microsoft’s market cap topped $4 trillion after its earnings report, and Amazon’s disappointing earnings forecast overshadowed its solid results. Software design company Figma more than tripled in its NYSE debut; bankers and CEOs are interpreting this performance as a sign that the IPO window is officially open for tech companies this year. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the new direction of his former agency under leadership of the sitting commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary. Top of mind for Dr. Gottlieb: the body’s large number of scientist departures. Lead Edge Capital Founding Partner Mitchell Green discusses the toll the Silicon Valley battle for AI talent is taking on private company share dilution. Plus, the July jobs report came in weaker than economists expected, and it brought some downward revisions for the previous month. Megan Cassella - 04:12 Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 21:51 Mitchell Green - 34:14 In this episode: Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMD 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: shares of Coinbase and Roku are both tumbling after the companies reported quarterly results, but each stock is still up over 50% and 30% for the year, respectively. Nvidia has denied that its chips have “back doors,” amid scrutiny from Chinese regulators, CSX is reportedly speaking with Goldman Sachs about buying a rival, and shares of Reddit popped after the company reported its most profitable quarter ever. 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.

After the U.S. struck a trade deal with South Korea, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explains that negotiation and the ongoing talks with China after the administration’s two-day meeting with Beijing officials in Stockholm. Sec. Bessent discusses his team’s frustration with India’s negotiating team and the “2-dimensional chess” match that is the China-U.S. relationship. The day after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for the July meeting, Sec. Bessent says he’s compiling a list of candidates to fill the soon-opening seats at the central bank. Veteran media investor Mario Gabelli discusses his 50-year investment in Paramount Global, the company’s upcoming merger with Skydance, and the future of entertainment. He weighs in on media transactions and the best ways to “save Hollywood,” including restoring creative capacity. Plus, Microsoft and Meta wowed Wall Street with their quarterly earnings. Steve Liesman - 13:15 Megan Cassella - 18:38 Scott Bessent - 22:03 Mario Gabelli - 44:37 In this episode: Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Steve Liesman, @steveliesman Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessent Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The morning after the FDA’s vaccine regulator Dr. Vinay Prasad announced his resignation, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary shares the agency’s position on the measles vaccine, Sarepta’s Duchenne therapy, and the addictive kratom-derived compound OH-7. Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel discusses the impact of geopolitics on travel to the U.S. While Canadians and Europeans are still traveling, the operator of Agoda, Priceline, and Kayak says they’re going to Mexico and Asia, instead of the U.S. Plus, Wall Street remembers the lives lost in Monday’s shooting, the first tsunami waves from Russia’s 8.8 earthquake have hit Hawaii’s shores, and CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on his conversation with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about trade talks with China. Eamon Javers - 07:24 Dr. Marty Makary - 18:51 Glenn Fogel - 36:48 In this episode: Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers 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: AI startup Anthropic is nearing a deal to raise as much as $5 billion in new funding. SoFi Technologies under pressure after announcing a $1.5 billion share offering, video game maker Electronic Arts’ F1 racing game is fueling growth, Happy Gilmore 2 had a big weekend on Netflix and the Hess Truck’s back and it’s better than ever. 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.

After a gunman killed 4 people in a New York City office building in midtown on Monday, corporate America is evaluating office security and employee safety. Former Boeing chief security officer and current chief security officer at Corporate Security Advisors Dave Komendat discusses corporate safety measures and the next steps in the NYPD’s investigation of the tragedy. In Stockholm, the U.S. is continuing trade talks with China, and stateside, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is celebrating President Trump’s trade deal with the EU. Sec. Lutnick points to the auto and pharmaceutical industries as key in that particular negotiation. Plus, Sarepta Therapeutics will resume shipping of its gene therapy to certain patients after scrutiny over the deaths of two patients using the drug. Eamon Javers - 9:25 Howard Lutnick - 18:39 Dave Komendat - 32:29 In this episode: Howard Lutnick, @howardlutnick Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Now that President Trump has struck a trade deal with the EU, attention shifts to Stockholm, where U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is participating in trade negotiations with China. He explains the White House’s strategy in those meetings and after them, while CNBC’s Eamon Javers, also in Sweden, covers the talks from outside the room. Amid mounting pressure on the Federal Reserve, former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Roger Ferguson discusses the upcoming FOMC meeting, including his expected timing for the next rate cut. Plus, Tesla has signed a $16.5B chip deal with Samsung, DOGE has reportedly employed an AI tool to cut federal workers, and AI company Astronomer released a post-Coldplay kiss cam scandal advertisement with Gwyneth Paltrow. Eamon Javers - 05:11 Jamieson Greer - 18:05 Roger Ferguson - 32:29 In this episode: Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers 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: Boeing expects its St. Louis area workers to strike next week, China has unveiled its global AI action plan, Union Pacific could be nearing a deal to buy Norfolk Southern, a subsidiary of Allianz U.S. was hacked, and Disney and Marvel brought in a total $118 million from the “Fantastic Four: First Steps” opening weekend. 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.

After President Trump’s eventful and rare visit to the Federal Reserve building with Fed Chair Powell, OMB Director Russell Vought discusses the building’s renovations and the President’s concerns about the central bank’s budget management. Vought visited the construction site alongside the President, and shares his hope that the project finishes quickly. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) is aiming to redistribute corporate wealth through his SHARE Plan Act. Rep. Suozzi explains his plan to rebuild the middle class with stock ownership. Plus, the FCC has approved Paramount’s merger with Skydance, and President Trump signed an executive order to limit money’s influence in college sports. Russ Vought - 14:32 Rep. Tom Suozzi - 29:05 In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: OpenAI reportedly plans to release GPT-5 next month, Elon Musk’s Starlink suffered one of its biggest-ever global outages, Schwab has announced a stock buyback, health insurer Centene stock is plunging after its second quarter report, and the Astronomer HR executive caught on the Coldplay concert kiss cam has left the company, days after the CEO’s departure. 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.

After the hosts of the All In Podcast invited tech and government leaders to an AI summit in DC, President Trump signed three executive orders on artificial intelligence. White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks discusses the President’s AI agenda and the roles regulation and energy infrastructure play in American AI dominance. Plus, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is running for NYC Mayor as an Independent. In an extended conversation, Cuomo admits his mistakes in the primary, discusses his competitors in sitting Mayor Eric Adams and Zohran Mamdani, and lays out his plan for success in the general election. Plus, CNBC’s Phil LeBeau discusses Tesla’s stock plunge after the company’s quarterly report. Phil LeBeau - 03:48 Andrew Cuomo - 20:28 Eamon Javers - 41:04 David Sacks - 45:35 In this episode: Phil LeBeau, @Lebeaucarnews Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin remember the late Larry Bossidy, a longtime friend of Squawk Box. The former Chairman and CEO of Honeywell was a key leader at three Fortune 100 companies. In his 90 years, he made a lasting impact on the CNBC audience and the Squawk Box anchor team. Hear his last interview on Squawk Box, in 2021, here.

Thanks to a $112 million acquisition, prediction market Polymarket is one step closer to operating in the U.S. Founder Shayne Coplan discusses the betting markets and his vision for the global financial ecosystem and its regulation. CEO of Beast Industries Jeff Housenbold joins Beast Games Champion Jeffrey Allen to discuss the Beast empire–YouTube, chocolates, and all. The two discuss the brand’s success as the most subscribed YouTube channel. Plus, the Trump administration has struck a trade deal with Japan, big tech’s AI talent wars wage on, and AI is taking a toll on the energy grid. Eamon Javers - 02:47 Shayne Copan - 16:36 Jeff Housenbold & Jeffrey Allen - 33:46 In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Shares of Texas Instruments are down sharply pre-market, Elon Musk’s xAI wants to raise money to access Nvidia chips, sales of Teslas in California are down, Hershey deals with the high price of cocoa, and Jeff Bezos’ made a visit to the White 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 only person to have held both the Treasury Secretary and the Fed Chair positions, Janet Yellen weighs in on America’s economy and the pressure President Trump is putting on sitting Fed chair Powell. She also discusses stablecoins and the inflation risks of politically-driven monetary policy. Plus, OpenAI and Oracle are expanding their Stargate project, and a report on the report about Berkshire Hathaway-owned railroad BNSF asking Goldman Sachs for counsel on a transaction. Janet Yellen - 13:15 In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie