Squawk Pod

The Supreme Court ruled to uphold the TikTok ban in the U.S. in a unanimous decision. LightShed Ventures’ Rich Greenfield discusses President-elect Trump’s affinity for the app, and whether, despite the SCOTUS ruling, TikTok will remain functional. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas could be approved this weekend; Amos Hochstein, the White House official who brokered the Israel-Hezbollah deal explains current negotiations in the Middle East, including the imminent exchange of prisoners. Plus, on Capitol Hill, cabinet confirmation hearings continue in the lead up to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Amos Hochstein - 14:09Rich Greenfield - 28:28 In this episode:Rich Greenfield, @RichLightShedJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

17 Jan 32min

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal, but last minute disputes have held up its approval. Former foreign policy advisor in the Bush Administration Dan Senor explains the nuances of the deal and argues, while it isn’t a good deal for Israel, he still supports it. Plus, President Biden delivers a warning in his farewell address, short seller Hindenburg Research is shutting down, and a number of tech CEOs are headed to Washington, for President-elect Trump’s inauguration. Dan Senor - 10:04 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

16 Jan 16min

The SEC has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, alleging the billionaire underpaid for his shares of Twitter by at least $150 million. In big tech, Microsoft is cutting back on spending, and Meta will lay off 5% of its workforce. Ahead of the inauguration next week, former Speaker Paul Ryan discusses the GOP’s road forward and the unity required for a successful reconciliation bill. As LA plans its future beyond the fires, crisis management expert Eric Dezenhall highlights the political and economic fallout. Plus, Dezenhall’s new book, “Wiseguys and the White House," explores the relationships between U.S.  Presidents and gangsters throughout U.S. history.  Paul Ryan - 11:21Eric Dezenhall - 26:52 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

15 Jan 33min

Four business days before he resigns on Inauguration Day, SEC Chair Gary Gensler reflects on his tenure at the agency, his relationship with the crypto community, and his legacy for investors across asset classes. In his exit interview before the SEC transitions to new leadership in a new administration, Gensler discusses legitimacy for various tokens on the blockchain, as well as the future of financial regulation. Plus, China is reportedly considering selling US TikTok to Elon Musk, and European regulators are eyeing big tech (again), and Starbucks is closing an open-door policy.  Gary Gensler - 16:35 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

14 Jan 37min

As Los Angeles fires continue, LA sports teams have partnered with Fanatics to contribute to the LA Fire Department Foundation and the American Red Cross. 100% of the proceeds from the “LA Strong” team-branded t-shirts will be donated; it’s part of Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin’s plan to support those affected by the devastation. CNBC’s Contessa Brewer offers insight on the efforts to rebuild from her location on the ground in LA. Billionaire investor Marc Lasry is doubling down on his sports investing strategy. He says, while he’s seeing debt financing opportunities in Northern Europe, he’s excited about the returns on sports leagues, especially women’s teams. After buying and selling the Milwaukee Bucks and investing in pickleball, Lasry says he has the cheat code for a successful sports investment. Plus, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg criticized Apple in a recent interview with Joe Rogan.  Marc Lasry - 14:26Contessa Brewer - 32:40Michael Rubin - 38:55 In this episode:Contessa Brewer, @contessabrewerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

13 Jan 46min

The Department of Justice and the SEC have filed civil and criminal charges against short seller Andrew Left. In a rare pre-trial interview, Left sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss the case, the trades in Nvidia, Tesla, and others that are under scrutiny, and what the litigation means for other activist short sellers, including their posts on social media. Plus, the latest jobs report blew past expectations, CEOs and companies are donating to President-elect Trump’s inauguration, and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) has introduced a bill that could pave the way for the U.S. to purchase the Panama Canal, while the public considers the implications and debates the necessity of buying Greenland. Andrew Left - 18:30 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

10 Jan 30min

Today the nation remembers President Jimmy Carter, whose state funeral is taking place in Washington. Stuart Eizenstat, who served as White House Domestic Policy Advisor under President Carter, delivers one of the eulogies during the funeral; in an interview beforehand, he reflects on his time working with the late President, as well as Carter’s economic legacy. Private equity firms aren’t like they were in the 80s! Steve Klinsky co-founded Goldman Sachs’s Leveraged Buyout Group in 1981, and he’s led his own firm New Mountain Capital since 1999. He reflects on the way the business started, and the type and scale of work he does now. He and his colleagues expect more dealmaking in 2025. Plus, Meta will allow some eBay listings on Facebook Marketplace, and in southern California, fires persist uncontained.  Emily Wilkins - 11:45Stuart Eizenstat - 14:55Steve Klinsky - 24:53 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

9 Jan 28min

In a news conference lasting over an hour at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Trump discussed the addition of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Canada to the United States. Axios senior political reporter Marc Caputo explains that after over a decade of Donald Trump in American headlines, the public should take him seriously–at least some of the time. Trump also weighed in on the changes underway at Meta, including the shift from third party fact checking to a community notes model. Facebook’s first general counsel and former chief privacy officer Chris Kelly discusses what Mark Zuckerberg’s original intentions were, with his platform, and whether social media platforms should be “arbiters of truth.” Plus, fires continue to spread near Los Angeles, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has projected a timeline for useful quantum computing. Chris Kelly - 18:06Marc Caputo - 28:34In this episode:Marc Caputo, @MarcACaputoJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

8 Jan 32min