Squawk Pod

Google’s long-time former CEO, Eric Schmidt, says that a pandemic proves big tech isn’t all bad. Schmidt discusses the growth of trillion-dollar technology, the importance of Apple’s App Store and his concerns with the U.S. action toward TikTok’s U.S. operations. The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday, featuring speeches from Donald Trump Jr. and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Heritage Foundation Research Fellow, Joel Griffith, and Stony Brook University Professor, Stephanie Kelton, preview the economic themes we’ll hear from the GOP & the Trump re-election campaign in this unconventional convention. Plus, major changes are coming to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, with three new companies joining the 30-stock benchmark before-the-bell on Monday. Salesforce replaces Exxon Mobil; Amgen replaces Pfizer; and Honeywell International replaces Raytheon Technologies. And, Joe Kernen gets a flat tire. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

25 Aug 202034min

The Food and Drug Administration announced on Sunday the emergency use authorization for using convalescent plasma to treat coronavirus patients. Former FDA Commissioner and CNBC contributor, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, says “it doesn’t look like a home run, but right now we’re looking for singles and doubles”. While movie theaters were closed during the pandemic the shift to streaming accelerated. Roku’s chief financial officer, Steve Louden, discussed the increasingly crowded space, standoffs between streamers and platforms and what made his customers stream for 14 billion hours last quarter. Plus, how Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg warned Washington over TikTok...and happy waffle day! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Aug 202026min

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed lingering tension between the United States and China over TikTok’s sale, trade and threats to national security. America’s top diplomat urged United Nations colleagues to restore sanctions on Iran, and Pompeo vowed to continue to go after China for policies demanding that all Chinese companies are “beholden to their security apparatus.” Former Vice President Joe Biden stated his case for uniting a coronavirus-fatigued America on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Frank Luntz, pollster and political strategist, says “Joe Biden is ahead, and the challenges for Donald Trump are significant” heading into next week’s GOP convention. Plus, Burberry’s high-fashion masks, Tesla’s stock split and ridesharing companies Lyft and Uber received an emergency stay to continue operations in California. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Aug 202037min

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), the first Black woman and Asian American on a major presidential ticket, formally accepted the nomination to become vice president. Frank Luntz, pollster and political strategist, breaks down day 3 of the Democratic National Convention and says the Democrats “have successfully criticized Trump but have not built up Joe Biden as of yet”. Apple hit a market cap of $2 trillion, doubling in valuation in just over two years. Raymond James Managing Director, Chris Caso, comments on the price of the stock and the future of 5G. Washington's football team is going through a significant rebranding along with its name change. Jason Wright, president of the Washington Football Team, discusses his strategy to lead the team through those changes. Plus Uber and Lyft could be out of California, and China trade talks may be back on. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 Aug 202031min

Day 2 of the all-virtual Democratic National Convention featured the formal nomination of Joe Biden for president. CNBC’s Washington Correspondent, Eamon Javers, reports the highlights, saying “it’s basically a 2 hour advertisement for the presidential candidate of the Democratic party.” Target reports a monster second quarter with profit up 80% and set a record for same store sales. Target CEO Brian Cornell says the company has focused on creating a safe shopping environment for the consumer. Josh Bolten, Business Roundtable CEO, reflected on the one-year anniversary of the BRT’s redefining corporate responsibility. Plus, colleges across the country are finding it may be impossible to create a coronavirus-free environment on campus and do women make better leaders in a crisis? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

19 Aug 202033min

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former first lady Michelle Obama headlined the first night of the 2020 all-virtual Democratic National Convention. James Pethokoukis, Economic Policy Analyst and CNBC Contributor, and Julie Margetta Morgan, Vice President of Research at the Roosevelt Institute, discuss the big takeaways from the first night and look ahead to what voters and viewers can expect in this unprecedented political season. The FDA approved a new saliva test for COVID, developed by the Yale School of Public Health. Researcher Anne Wyllie says scientists hope to get results to patients the same day or within 24 hours. Big box chains like Walmart and Home Depot make huge gains as consumer spending shifts during the pandemic. Plus, the University of North Carolina abandons in-person classes after a COVID-19 outbreak, and Oracle enters the race to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

18 Aug 202025min

The U.S. Postal Service is suddenly at the center of debates in Washington, and CNBC’s Ylan Mui explains why snail mail is making headlines ahead of the 2020 election. The Democratic National Convention begins Monday night, and for the first time in its near 200-year history, speakers and the nominee will be speaking virtually. Harvard Professor, AEI President Emeritus, and contributing writer for The Atlantic Arthur Brooks discusses what’s likely to come of this election’s DNC. The host of “The Art of Happiness with Arthur Brooks” offers a hopeful look into the American psyche during what has so far seemed like a bleak 2020. Former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake shares research on Covid-19’s health and economic impact on Black households and entrepreneurs, explaining what these communities need from America’s leaders to survive and thrive. Plus, airlines are still stuck on the tarmac; CNBC’s Phil LeBeau and analyst Seth Kaplan discuss what’s next for carriers as travelers remain grounded.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Aug 202031min

Epic Games is suing Apple after the tech giant removed Fortnite’s “Battle Royale” game from the App Store. Fortnite is attempting to bypass Apple’s standard 30% App Store fee, and CNBC contributor Alex Kantrowitz says the gamer’s move is a smart one. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy lays out his steps for the Garden State’s economic comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, mail-in COVID-19 testing and a court ruling that says Amazon can be held liable for faulty third-party products sold on its website. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Aug 202034min