Squawk Pod

In France, President Macron is celebrating victory, American diplomats will return to Ukraine, and all across the globe, markets are under pressure. In Washington, DC, the Biden administration is working to get more Democrats on board for the President’s tax plan; White House Council of Economic Advisors member Jared Bernstein defends different aspects of the wealth tax, the current voting breakdown, and the dynamic between America’s tight labor market and its inflation. Twitter shares jumped on reports the company is nearing a deal with Elon Musk that could be announced as soon as Monday. Former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton weighs in on Musk’s Twitter takeover bid and Wall Street’s concerns. In this episode:Jared Bernstein, @econjaredAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie 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 Apr 202231min

The streaming wars have left big players with some battle scars: Netflix is recovering from a rough year so far, and CNN+ is no more. Axios media reporter Sara Fischer and The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern discuss what went wrong for the service, and why Warner Bros. Discovery has opted to shut it down. Political strategist and pollster Frank Luntz discusses America’s complicated response to corporations getting involved in politics, as Disney finds itself on the outs with Florida’s lawmakers. Plus, Elon Musk is still trying to scrounge up the funds to buy Twitter.  In this episode:Joanna Stern, @JoannaSternSara Fischer, @sarafischerFrank Luntz, @FrankLuntzAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

22 Apr 202232min

Famed shortseller Bill Ackman and his firm Pershing Square dumped its stake in Netflix yesterday following the streaming service company’s disappointing quarterly report. Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers in its latest quarter and expects to lose an additional 2 million subscribers in its next quarter, prompting the stock’s worst trading day in over 17 years. CNBC’s Phil LeBeau breaks down the key takeaways from Tesla’s first-quarter earnings results, which beat Wall Street’s estimates. Florida state lawmakers are working to pass a bill that would eliminate Disney’s special self-governing status in the state. CNBC’s Robert Frank reports on how this could impact Florida residents, and Florida State Rep. Randy Fine, who filed the House legislation, discusses whether it was spurred by the company’s response to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. Plus, Melvin Capital is attempting a rebrand, Carl Icahn calls out Wall Street ‘hypocrisy’ over ESG investing in a letter to McDonald’s shareholders.In this episode:Robert Frank, @robtfrankPhil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Apr 202229min

In a shocking and disappointing report on Wall Street, Netflix revealed a loss of subscribers in the last quarter–its first loss in 10 years. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is taking aim at Disney by presenting a bill that could revoke the company’s near-autonomy over the 40 square miles it inhabits in the Sunshine State. Skybridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci discusses the clash of politics and business, and whether the Governor’s action is a wise retaliation for Disney’s criticism of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Former FDA Commissioner considers the risks for ending the mask mandates–both political, for the CDC, and physical, for all travelers. Plus, Elon Musk is at it again–just in time for his favorite day of the year. In this episode:Anthony Scaramucci, @ScaramucciDr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 Apr 202235min

Masks are no longer mandated on public transportation, after a federal judge in Florida ruled that the CDC had overstepped its authority when it issued a mask mandate for planes, trains, and buses. Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, discusses whether customers and employees will continue to use masks to protect fellow travelers. Plus, as Elon Musk explores options to finance his bid to buy Twitter, biographer and Tulane professor Walter Isaacson shares insight on Musk’s goals and motivations from extended conversations with Elon Musk himself.  In this episode:Walter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonSara Nelson, @FlyingWithSaraAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

19 Apr 202230min

Elon Musk’s bid for Twitter has prompted questions about his own financial liquidity, and free speech on the platform. While Wall Street is eyeing Musk’s offer, Musk is bringing the entire Twitter board under scrutiny, calling out their online presence and potentially suggesting that the platform’s power rest with shareholders, instead of the board. The World Health Organization maintains that the Covid-19 pandemic is still very much underway, but governments in the U.S. and in China are handling the continued outbreaks very differently. Dr. Kavita Patel, former White House health policy director, unpacks the CDC’s new guidance on Covid safety in the U.S., which emphasizes personal choice over mandates. Plus, in other health news, fried foods are trending up on American menus.  In this episode:Dr. Kavita Patel, @kavitapmdAndrew 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.

18 Apr 202222min

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy says workers may be “better off” not joining a union.  In an extended interview at Amazon’s Seattle campus, Jassy spoke with Andrew Ross Sorkin to break down his first annual letter to shareholders. Jassy explains how the company quickly grew its fulfillment center capacity amid a rapid pandemic rise in e-commerce sales and he reacts to unionization efforts inside Amazon warehouses. The Amazon chief also discusses the federal minimum wage, Amazon’s 20-for-1 stock split, Elon Musk’s Twitter bid, crypto, and much more.  Andrew Ross Sorkin also tours a fulfillment center with Amazon’s Alicia Boler Davis about the up-to-the minute technology completing millions of e-commerce orders.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Apr 202240min

The Producer Price Index, which measures prices paid by wholesalers, rose 11.2% from a year ago, hitting a record high. Inflation around the world continues to rise as Vladimir Putin presses on in his war in Ukraine. Hermitage Capital CEO and author of “Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin’s Wrath” Bill Browder, shares details of his life under Putin’s eye and concerns about the war’s ripple effects across the globe. Plus, Elon Musk is back in the news–this time, for a lawsuit.  In this episode:Bill Browder, @BillBrowderJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie 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 Apr 202223min