Squawk Pod

President Trump has said tariffs on Mexico and Canada will begin next week. Eamon Javers reports from Washington on the tariff messaging from The White House. Once COO and President of Blackstone and now Chairman of Costco Tony James shares his perspective on the US economy, business strength, and consumer confidence. James considers American business to be slowing down, thanks to uncertainty from the administration. In the face of DEI rollbacks across corporate America, Costco remains consistent in their commitment to equity. Plus, Nvidia topped analyst estimates, for the first time in a decade, a child in the US has died from the measles, and Elon Musk’s efforts in the US government could affect his businesses.  Eamon Javers - 16:39Tony James - 27:10 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @EamonJaversJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

27 Feb 43min

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a multi-trillion-dollar budget plan late Tuesday, advancing President Donald Trump’s tax-cut and border security agenda. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins joins to outline the details of the bill. Then Rep. Ro Khanna discusses the budget’s passage, its impact on Democrats, who benefits from the Trump tax cuts, and his thoughts on proposed spending cuts. And Cava co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman weighs in on the company’s quarterly earnings, 2025 outlook, and the potential impact of tariffs. Plus, Trump floats a $5 million “gold card” visa as a new path to citizenship, the U.S. and Ukraine outline a deal to fund Ukraine’s future security and reconstruction through an investment fund backed by the country’s rare earth minerals, and McDonald’s pushes back against a proposed surcharge on egg-based meals. Emily Wilkins - 20:52Rep. Ro Khanna - 24:11Brett Schulman - 35:51 Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkins Rep. Ro Khanna, @rokhannaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

26 Feb 38min

“Zero Day” writers and producers Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt discuss their limited series political thriller on Netflix. The team discusses Robert De Niro’s performance on the show, as well as the well-timed plotline in today’s political climate. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis weighs in on his DOGE efforts in his own state, Elon Musk’s agenda in Washington, and the evolving relationship between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Plus, Home Depot reported its latest earnings, and President Trump said tariffs on Mexico and Canada will move forward.  Gov. Ron DeSantis - 16:48Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt - 30:18 In this episode:Ron DeSantis, @RonDeSantisJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

25 Feb 37min

The Department of Justice’s investigation into United Healthcare’s billing practices has highlighted problematic practices across the American health care system, including upcoding. Former CEO of the Cleveland Clinic Dr. Toby Cosgrove explains common abuses in the system, their legacy, and potential solutions. New York Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres stops by the set to discuss how city residents consider Mayor Eric Adams’ unusual relationship with President Trump. He explains why he wants the resigned NY Governor Andrew Cuomo to take over as Mayor this election cycle. Plus, DOGE is still making cuts to the federal workforce, the markets suffered their worst day of the year so far, and Omaha Oracle Warren Buffett is amassing more cash–and selling more stock.  Ritchie Torres - 17:32Dr. Toby Cosgrove - 27:39 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

24 Feb 35min

UnitedHealth stock fell on a Wall Street Journal report that the DOJ is investigating the insurer’s Medicare billing protocol. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains the nuances of the health insurance system, and he considers how the Trump administration will handle rising cases of bird flu. And big news from Coinbase: CEO Brian Armstrong says the SEC will drop its case against the company. Armstrong explains his approach to regulation in a new administration, the future of memecoins, and the merit in prediction markets. CNBC’s Robert Frank discusses the IRS plan to cut 6% of its workforce. Plus, Meta has approved a plan for bigger bonuses for some executives. Robert Frank - 10:23Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 18:40Brian Armstrong - 32:57 In this episode:Robert Frank, @robtfrankJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

21 Feb 40min

President Trump has declared New York City “saved” from congestion pricing in a recent Truth Social post. President and CEO of the Partnership for New York Kathryn Wylde weighs in whether the state is his to save, and shares the pros and cons for the city’s plan. Palantir is plunging after the CEO Alex Karp unveiled his share sale plan, and President Trump is weighing a plan to offer DOGE dividends. Plus, Andrew Ross Sorkin has written a new book! “1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History” is out in October.  Kathryn Wylde - 21:28 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

20 Feb 31min

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has met with NYC officials amid resignations and corruption and quid pro quo allegations in Mayor Eric Adams’s office. NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who attended Gov. Hochul’s meeting and is currently running against Mayor Adams in the 2025 mayoral race, explains his concerns about a “leadership vacuum” in New York. Lander weighs in on immigration policy and the city’s future. President Trump has moved to expand the White House’s authority in his second term; UC Berkeley law professor and former official in President George W. Bush’s Department of Justice John Yoo explains the tension between the branches of government, as well as the constitutional implications of President Trump’s executive orders. Plus, DOGE’s power and 25% tariffs are brewing–and concerning–for pharma companies and autos. Happy Birthday, Andrew! Brad Lander - 15:01John Yoo - 32:58 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

19 Feb 44min

Palantir CEO and co-founder Alex Karp has written a new book: “The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West.” Karp explains his call to arms for Silicon Valley, underscoring the geopolitics ingrained in Western tech innovation. In Riyadh, the Saudis hosted the U.S. and Russia for discussions to end the Ukraine-Russia War–without the Ukrainians or any other Europeans. Former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Trump Victoria Coates explains the significance of the meetings and what it might portend for geopolitics, including global energy markets, and access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine. Plus, four officials have resigned from the NYC Mayor’s office amid calls for Mayor Adams’ own resignation, and a Delta plane crash in Toronto resulted in zero fatalities.  Phil LeBeau - 10:08Victoria Coates - 18:09Alex Karp - 27:48 In this episode:Phil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

18 Feb 43min