Squawk Pod

Wall Street and Washington are still hung up on the Biden administration’s proposed billionaire income tax, but pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz says the majority of Americans are more concerned about gas independence and inflation than they are about wealth. Newly declassified U.S. intelligence indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin feels he was misled by military leaders who did not tell him key details about the botched invasion of Ukraine because they feared angering him, according to top Biden administration officials. The Biden administration is expected to end the asylum limits at the U.S.-Mexico border originally put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The policy has blocked more than 1.7 million attempts by immigrants to cross the border since its start during the Trump administration in March 2020. Plus, CNBC’s Bertha Coombs reports that Walgreens Boots Alliance shares are falling as demand linked to the Covid pandemic slows, and the anchors are singing their way down memory lane. In this episode:Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntzBertha Coombs, @berthacoombsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

31 Maalis 202228min

Meme stock mania has returned to the markets. Wild swings in GameStop and AMC stock have drummed up more interest in retail trading trends; Tastytrade founder and Co-CEO Tom Sosnoff considers meme trader philosophy and its impact on market health. Plus, Joe Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin’s obsession with the Biden Administration’s budget proposal restricting CEO stock buybacks continues another day – this time, due to athleisure company - and maker of the world’s greatest pants - Lululemon’s announcement of a $1 billion stock repurchase program. In this episode:Tom Sosnoff, @tastytradeAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

30 Maalis 202225min

President Joe Biden’s $5.8 trillion 2023 federal budget proposes tax hikes on the ultra-wealthy and new rules on corporate buybacks. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) makes the case for reforms to executive pay and for a minimum income tax for billionaires. Meanwhile, CNBC’s Ylan Mui says Republicans on Capitol Hill are pronouncing Biden’s budget dead on arrival. Plus, Dairy Queen is expanding its burger offerings with the new Stackburger line - the biggest menu expansion in two decades.In this episode:Senator Elizabeth Warren, @SenWarrenYlan Mui, @ylanmuiAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

29 Maalis 202231min

President Joe Biden’s 2023 federal budget proposes tax hikes on the ultra-wealthy and on corporations while providing billions of dollars in new spending at the Defense and Justice Departments. Joe, Becky, and Andrew digest the proposal, its potential to bolster domestic investment, and plans to reduce the federal deficit. In light of increasing Covid infections, Shanghai began a two-stage lockdown today. CNBC’s Eunice Yoon reports the lockdown of China’s largest city includes orders to work from home as well as the suspension of public transit and ride hailing. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner and CNBC contributor, discusses China’s zero-Covid policy and says Shanghai will have a hard time containing Covid infections. Plus, Axios media reporter, Sara Fischer recaps Sunday’s memorable Oscars ceremony, slaps, streaming wins, and all.  In this episode:Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvSara Fischer, @sarafischerAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

28 Maalis 202231min

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen responds to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink’s warning that the end of globalization is nigh. In a wide ranging interview, she weighs the concerns and the benefits of crypto assets, whether we need sanctions on China, and America’s slow journey toward renewable energy. CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on NATO’s deal to cut European reliance on Russian oil in Belgium. Plus, March Madness upsets continue, bitcoin is prompting action in the S&P, and Bed Bath & Beyond has struck a deal with activist investor Ryan Cohen.  In this episode:Janet Yellen, @SecYellenKayla Tausche, @kaylatauscheAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

25 Maalis 202234min

Larry Fink, CEO and chairman of the world’s biggest asset manager BlackRock, wrote in his annual letter that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is reversing the long-running trend of globalization. Blackrock, which oversees more than $10 trillion, has suspended the purchase of any Russian securities in its active or index portfolios. CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports from Brussels, Belgium, where President Biden’s and other NATO leaders are meeting to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. As Covid cases tick upward abroad and begin to tick upward here at home, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel says the drugmaker wants to provide U.S. regulators “flexibility” in determining eligibility for a fourth Covid vaccine dose. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell sits down with Bancel ahead of the company’s vaccine day and discusses the company’s latest data surrounding its Covid-19 vaccine in young kids. Plus, Google has agreed to test letting app developers offer users their own payment systems, starting with Spotify. In this episode:Stephane Bancel, @moderna_txKayla Tausche, @kaylatauscheMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

24 Maalis 202227min

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more pressure on Russia as the war appears to be entering a stalemate, and CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the Biden administration’s efforts to safeguard the U.S. against a potential Russian cyberattack. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has suggested the White House form a modern-day ‘Marshall Plan’ to wean the US and Europe off of Russian oil, according to an Axios report. CNBC’s Leslie Picker details Dimon’s perspective and his hopes for a long term plan for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Plus, Seattle Starbucks baristas have voted to unionize, which sets Howard Schulz up for a busy time as interim CEO. In this episode:Leslie Picker, @LesliePickerEamon Javers, @EamonJaversAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

23 Maalis 202226min

Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell is taking a tough stance on inflation--a lot tougher than the markets had expected. In an effort to combat rising prices, the central bank head suggested that the next interest rate hike might be higher than the quarter percentage point announced last week. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan explains how the state’s gas-tax pause is helping residents save at the pump. He admits it’s only a temporary solution; a long term fix would be to “increase production here at home so we’re not so reliant on foreign countries for our oil.” Axios media reporter Sara Fischer and Puck News founding partner Matt Belloni weigh in on Disney’s response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill as employees continue to express their discontent with CEO Bob Chapek. CNBC’s Julia Boorstin shares intel on the situation from her sources in media. Plus, Christie’s is offering one of Andy Warhol’s famed Marilyn Monroe portraits for just $200 million. In this episode:Sara Fischer, @sarafischerMatt Belloni, @MattBelloniGov. Larry Hogan, @GovLarryHoganMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

22 Maalis 202234min