Barry Diller Breaks Down the Battle for Media’s Future 05/21/25
On this special episode of Squawk Pod, media icon Barry Diller reflects on his career and the release of his new memoir Who Knew. He discusses launching Fox with Rupert Murdoch, a bitter legal feud with John Malone, and high-stakes negotiations. Diller offers his insights into the evolving media landscape, warning that tech giants now control the industry’s future. He also opens up about his personal life lessons, his marriage to Diane von Furstenberg, and how fear shaped his fearlessness in business. An important conversation with one of media’s most influential figures. Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
21 Touko 36min
Trump Tax Bill’s Final Hours & Zero-Click Search 5/21/25
GOP leaders are working to finalize President Trump’s cornerstone legislation: a massive tax bill, with Speaker Mike Johnson pushing for a floor vote in the House as early as tonight. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports the latest developments from Washington. Deputy Treasury Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner Michael Faulkender discusses the reconciliation bill, budget details, Medicaid reforms, efforts to reduce the federal deficit, the state of the IRS, and plans to modernize the agency. And, internet search is changing drastically; Cloudflare co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince weighs the impact of zero-click searches – where a user gets answers and information without further links and AI’s disruption of the search and creator economies. Meanwhile, Target lowers its sales outlook, citing tariff uncertainty and backlash over its DEI policy rollback. Plus, the FAA extends flight restrictions at Newark airport through June due to an air traffic controller shortage and ongoing technical issues. Michael Faulkender 25:46Matthew Prince 40:04 Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsCourtney Reagan, @courtreaganMichael Faulkender, @TreasuryDepSecJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
21 Touko 44min
Who is the real Sam Altman? 5/20/25
After conducting over 300 interviews and spending seven years reporting on artificial intelligence, tech journalist and Empire of AI author Karen Hao discusses the story behind OpenAI and its founder Sam Altman, the current state of AI development, the potential risks and benefits of the technology, and the company's relationship with Microsoft. Then, Mike Gallagher, head of defense at Palantir Technologies and former U.S. Congressman, shares insights on the U.S.-China tech conflict, the dangers of using Huawei chips, the role of American companies operating in China, and the future of Taiwan. Plus, Home Depot reaffirmed its full-year guidance and said it will not raise prices due to tariffs, and Republicans are making progress on advancing a bill aligned with former President Trump’s agenda in the House. Mike Gallagher 19:52Karen Hao 29:20 Emily Wilkins,@emrwilkinsMike Gallagher, @RepGallagherKaren Hao, @_KarenHaoBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
20 Touko 35min
Walter Isaacson & Business Roundtable CEO Josh Bolten 5/19/25
The House Budget Committee advanced President Trump’s multi trillion-dollar domestic policy package Sunday night, just two days after conservatives voted to reject it. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on this and President Trump’s clash with Walmart over tariff-driven price hikes. Walter Isaacson, biographer and Tulane professor, discusses gene editing breakthroughs and biotech innovation amid federal funding cuts, as well as the White House’s relationship with corporate America’s leaders. Then, Business Roundtable CEO Josh Bolten weighs in on how CEOs are responding to Trump-era policies, including the President’s trade agenda. Plus, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has announced plans to acquire most of 23andMe’s assets for $256 million. Walter Issacson 18:22Josh Bolten 28:39 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @EamonJaversWalter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
19 Touko 36min
The Orange Pill with Mike Novogratz & President Trump vs. Tim Cook 5/16/25
As President Trump wraps up his trip to the Middle East, Yale’s School of Management Jeffrey Sonnenfeld discusses the president’s comments about Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as what they indicate about the relationships between corner offices and the oval office. Galaxy’s Mike Novogratz has been a crypto bull for years; today, his company lists on the Nasdaq in the latest chapter of society’s “orange pilling” of crypto. Novogratz discusses the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and macroeconomics. CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos shares Eric Trump’s comments on his family’s bitcoin venture. Plus, cable companies Charter and Cox are merging, New Jersey Transit engineers are on strike, and Tiktok has launched a guided meditation for kids. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld - 13:29MacKenzie Sigalos - 24:25Mike Novogratz - 27:18 In this episode: Michael Novogratz, @novogratzMacKenzie Sigalos, @KenzieSigalosKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
16 Touko 34min
Alexis Ohanian’s New Stake in Chelsea Women FC 5/15/25
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian is doubling down on his bets on women’s sports with a minority stake in the Chelsea Women FC. Ohanian discusses the future of sports and media, as well as the latest controversy over AI bots on Reddit. In Qatar, President Trump has a bone to pick with Apple CEO Tim Cook, and investor Steve Cohen made a call about the likelihood of recession at the Sohn Conference in New York. Plus, Warren Buffett has explained why he’s ready to step down from Berkshire Hathaway, and Dick’s Sporting Goods has agreed to buy Foot Locker. Alexis Ohanian - 17:24 In this episode:Alexis Ohanian, @alexisohanianKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
15 Touko 29min
A Qatari Plane & America’s Character 5/14/25
As President Trump begins his second day in the Middle East, lawmakers in the House in Washington are working out the details of a reconciliation bill. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy explains what’s on the table and what’s likely to pass, this time around. He also discusses the growing concerns about the Qatari royal family’s offer to gift President Trump a plane to replace Air Force One. Retired Commander of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal discusses the current character of America, including partisan politics. Plus, Tesla CEO Elon Musk may have a new pay package option, fintech Chime has filed for an IPO, and the FAA will meet with major airlines to discuss solutions to issues at Newark Liberty International Airport. General Stanley McChrystal 12:52Kevin McCarthy 25:07 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
14 Touko 33min
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Chaos at Newark 5/13/25
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is pitching a universal savings account starting at birth, and he has a partner in Silicon Valley: Altimeter’s Brad Gerstner. Gerstner is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum kicks off with President Trump, Elon Musk, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and many other CEOs and leaders. At the Newark Liberty International Airport, flights are delayed amid communication issues and a shortage of air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explains the many issues facing America’s air traffic system, including outdated technology and a backlog of air traffic controllers in training. Plus, House Republicans are inching closer to a tax plan. Sen. Ted Cruz & Brad Gerstner - 15:37Sec. Sean Duffy - 35:07 In this episode:Sean Duffy, @SecDuffyTed Cruz, @SenTedCruzBrad Gerstner, @altcapBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
13 Touko 46min
