Strong Tech Stocks, A Weak Jobs Report, & FDA Departures 8/1/25

A federal appeals court’s ruling late Friday that the vast majority of President Trump’s tariffs are illegal does not change the status quo for now, but it sets the stage for a showdown at the Supreme Court. CNBC’s Megan Cassella breaks down the latest developments in the tariff fight. McDonald’s announced that it is expanding its value offerings to reach more price-conscious diners. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski discusses the launch of the new Extra Value Menu, the health of the consumer, and the company’s exit from Russia. Plus, Kraft Heinz announced it will split into two public companies, and OpenAI rolls out updates to some of its safety features. Chris Kempczinski 19:13 In this episode:Megan Cassella, @mmcassellaBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

2 Syys 35min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Nvidia shares are under pressure after reports Alibaba is developing a competing AI chip, Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares jumped nearly 20 percent on strong cloud growth, OpenAI is exploring partners to build a massive data center in India, Vogue editor Anna Wintour has chosen her successor, and the Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1.3 billion. 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.

2 Syys 1min

As school season starts, the debate over phones in classrooms continues, with 35 states imposing restrictions on student mobile devices. Joanne Lipman, a Yale University lecturer, and Emily Boddy, a council member of Smartphone Free Childhood U.S., shared their perspectives on whether kids can use phones responsibly in school. Kyivstar is Ukraine’s largest digital and telecom provider; after going public on the Nasdaq in New York earlier in August, CEO Oleksandr Komarov discusses tech and business amid the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as Kyivstar’s partnership with Starlink. Plus, a judge will hear Lisa Cook’s lawsuit to block President Trump’s attempt to fire her as Federal Reserve governor, and CNBC’s Mackenzie Sigalos analyzes how Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are cutting middle management in the AI era. Oleksandr Komarov - 16:57Emily Boddy & Joanne Lipman - 24:36 In this episode:Joanne Lipman, @joannelipmanLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerWilfred Frost, @WilfredFrostAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

29 Elo 31min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Caterpillar shares are down after raising tariff cost estimates to $1.8 billion, Gap shares fell as Athleta comps dropped 9 percent, Nvidia is in talks with the White House on selling a limited Blackwell chip to China, Dell shares are slipping after light earnings guidance despite a stronger outlook, and Affirm shares are soaring on strong results and upbeat guidance. 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.

29 Elo 1min

The White House on Wednesday said it had fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez after she refused to resign. Dr. Kavita Patel, former White House health policy director, discusses the implications for public health and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. policies. Then, while President Donald Trump attempts to remove Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, economists raise questions on Fed independence. Chris Hughes, Economic Security Project co-chair and Facebook co-founder shares his thoughts on the White House’s pressure on the Federal Reserve, as well as the risks and rewards of AI content. Plus, Tesla’s sales in Europe plunged in July, marking the company’s seventh consecutive month of declines while sales of Chinese rival BYD surged. Dr. Kavita Patel - 4:01Chris Hughes - 16:37 In this episode:Leslie Picker, @LesliePickerWilfred Frost, @WilfredFrostAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

28 Elo 23min

Author and podcaster Arthur Brooks discusses the impact of politics, technology, and capitalism on our wellbeing; he warns, politicians are not the key to America’s happiness. CNBC’s Steve Liesman follows the drama between the White House and Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and Cracker Barrel is rolling back its logo rebrand after uproar on social media. Teenager Adam Raine messaged ChatGPT-4 for months leading up to his suicide. His family is now suing ChatGPT parent OpenAI for the company’s role in Adam’s death. The Raine family lawyer Jay Edelson explains the case and underscores the dangers of rushing innovation to consumer markets.  Arthur Brooks - 22:57Jay Edelson - 37:01 In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerWilfred Frost, @WilfredFrostAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

27 Elo 46min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today:  Nvidia reports quarterly results, Kroger is laying off nearly 1,000 corporate employees, Meta is preparing to raise funds in political donations for candidates with a “light touch” on tech regulation, shares of cloud storage company Box are on the rise, and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement news is boosting a mall jeweler.  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.

27 Elo 2min

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick discusses the government’s stake in Intel, including whether the Trump administration will create a sovereign wealth fund. In an extended interview, Sec. Lutnick also weighs in on President Trump’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her post at the central bank after White House official Bill Pulte alleged that Cook had committed mortgage fraud. CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down that story, the unprecedented politicization of the Fed, and what happens next–to both the U.S. economy and the economist herself.  Howard Lutnick - 18:57 In this episode:Howard Lutnick, @howardlutnickSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerWilfred Frost, @WilfredFrostAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

26 Elo 39min