A Russian Mega-Yacht Auction & Allegations of Mortgage Fraud 8/21/25

As the rush for pre-holiday Covid tests continues, new studies suggest that omicron may have lower hospitalization risk than other Covid-19 variants. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell discusses the new data as well as the FDA’s approval of Pfizer’s therapeutic pill and the other oral treatments that could come in 2022. While the variant puts extra pressure on an already squeezed supply chain, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg provides an update on the nation’s supply chain bottlenecks and collaboration between the Biden Administration and the private sector to keep the holiday season running smoothly. The holidays are different this year, but some traditions live on, including tracking Santa’s Christmas Eve journey around the world. U.S. Air Force Capt. Sable Brown, public affairs officer at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, discusses NORAD’s 66th year tracking Santa Claus’ journey around the globe, with a little help from Rudolph’s nose. So, pop the bubbly--if you can find it! Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine executive wine editor, explains why champagne may be hard to come by this holiday season. Plus, he offers a few sparkling recommendations for your liquor store trip: Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava ($60/Magnum), Champagne Alfred Gratien Brut Rosé ($70), and, for the festive splurge, Champagne Bollinger RD 2007 Brut ($300). Cheers!In this episode:Sec. Pete Buttigieg, @SecretaryPeteRay Isle, @islewineMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellCapt. Sable Brown, @usairforceJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

23 Des 202132min

In light of rising Covid-19 cases in New York, restaurateur Danny Meyer has made the call to temporarily close a number of establishments owned by his company, Union Square Hospitality Group. Meyer discusses a new vaccination policy that he hopes will help keep staff and patrons safe. As founder of Shake Shack, Meyer also weighs in on the french fry shortage, as well as the superior fry shape. Biotechs aiming to increase our lifespans and reverse aging-related diseases have garnered billions from interested--and high profile--backers in tech. Co-founder and CEO of Cambrian Biopharma James Peyer discusses “longevity biotech,” preventing Alzheimer’s at the cellular level, the causes of hair loss, and how much red wine is enough red wine. Plus, Elon Musk wants credit for paying his taxes, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is drumming up passion among her supporters (again), and supply chain issues are hitting everything from at-home Covid tests to french fries and the toy shelves.  In this episode:Danny Meyer, @dhmeyerJames Peyer, @JamesPeyerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

22 Des 202138min

Dr. Syra Madad, senior director of the system-wide pathogens program at New York City Health and Hospitals, considers the pandemic still in its “emergency” phase as cases of omicron outpace those of other variants. But, the game must go on--for the NFL, at least. While the NHL and college basketball teams have paused and postponed their games, the National Football League is taking a new approach to managing Covid-19 cases after over 100 players in the league tested positive. HGGC president and former 49ers quarterback Steve Young and Integrity Marketing Group CEO Bryan Adams discuss the NFL’s new pandemic strategy and Integrity’s $125 million payout to employees following an investment from Silver Lake. Plus, issues in the supply chain are causing issues for other chains…including McDonald’s, where a french fry shortage is hitting locations in Japan. In this episode:Bryan Adams, @IntegrityMGSteve Young, @SteveYoungQBDr. Syra Madad, @syramadadJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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 Des 202129min

Global markets are wavering as cases of the omicron variant ticks up around the world. Moderna says its Covid booster dose does bolster antibodies against the new variant, but even so, CNBC’s Robert Frank reports that big banks are reversing their return-to-work policies. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell explains the Moderna news and compares data on cases of Covid’s omicron and delta variants, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb offers best testing practices to families hoping to gather for a safe holiday. In light of the latest surge, the World Economic Forum usually held in January in Davos has been postponed. Plus, CNBC’s Eamon Javers discusses Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) decision not to support President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, a blow for Democrats and the administration.  In this episode:Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDRobert Frank, @robtfrankMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

20 Des 202136min

Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical advisor, weighs in on holiday parties with vaccinated family and friends as Covid-19 omicron variant spreads throughout the United States. The nation’s top infectious disease doctor discusses a possible redefinition of what it means to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Changes are certainly “on the table,” said Dr. Fauci, who emphasizes there is no doubt that optimum vaccination is with a booster dose. Currently, individuals are considered to be fully vaccinated either two weeks after their second dose of a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Plus, an e-commerce boon for Fed-Ex during the holiday season and a major change in the legal battles against the makers of Oxycontin.In this episode:Dr. Anthony FauciJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Des 202131min

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is developing new antibodies that work against the omicron variant of Covid-19, after the company confirmed that its current cocktail has diminished potency against the heavily mutated strain. CEO Leonard Schleifer says Regeneron plans to conduct trials on the new antibodies in the first quarter of 2022.  The Federal Reserve’s move to accelerate its taper but not yet move the needle on interest rates has left market analysts in disagreement over whether it was the right call and how it could impact stocks. CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down how the markets are reacting to the Federal Reserve’s policy pivot on Wednesday. Plus, Bruce Springsteen has reportedly sold his music rights to Sony Music Entertainment in what could be the biggest deal ever struck for a single artist’s work.In this episode:Leonard Schleifer, @RegeneronMeg Tirrell, @megtirrell Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Des 202127min

In this special podcast, Andrew Ross Sorkin spoke with Galleon Group Founder, Raj Rajaratnam, who was convicted in 2011 of 14 counts of securities fraud and conspiracy in one of the biggest insider trading cases in history. Prosecutors accused him of making tens of millions of dollars by trading illegal information about stocks like eBay, Goldman Sachs and Alphabet, then known as Google. Now he’s spent seven years in prison, paid more than $150 million in fines and his first interview after being released from prison is with Squawk Box. Raj Rajaratnam is also the author of a new book about his experience, “Uneven Justice: The Plot to Sink Galleon.” Plus, pro sports is getting hammered by Covid in spite of vaccinations and safety protocols; and the Twitter battle between 2021’s person of the year, Elon Musk, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.  Joe, Becky and Andrew try to channel “The Art of Happiness” podcaster Arthur Brooks when discussing the viral tweet for tat. In this episode:Raj Rajaratnam, @UnevenJusticeJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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 Des 202138min

As the specter of omicron looms large over the festive season, governments around the world are desperately trying to deploy Covid-19 booster shots in order to bolster people’s protection against the more transmissible variant. Meanwhile, Pfizer is working on the first antiviral Covid-19 pill. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell broke down the final analysis of Pfizer’s Covid-19 pill that showed a near 90% efficacy in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients. Companies from Lyft to Ford have had to delay and reassess return-to-office plans in recent weeks. Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman walked back an edict that employees should be back at the office by now and issued a new forecast for how long companies would delay the return. Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield also discussed the future of work, the metaverse and the company’s merger with Salesforce. Plus, Apple’s march to $3 Trillion and Elon Musk – on the tweets and on Time's 2021 Person of the Year.In this episode:Stewart Butterfield, @stewartMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Des 202126min