Squawk Pod

With just over a week left in her role as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan reflects on her four years regulating corporate mergers and acquisitions. In an extended sit down interview, she discusses her hopes for her successor and weighs in on big tech’s goals to stay big in the coming years. Meta is making big changes; the UFC’s Dana White will join the company’s board, and Meta is rolling out “community notes,” ending its third party fact-checking program in favor of a model similar to what’s used on X. Plus, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down. Jon Fortt - 13:26Lina Khan - 23:02 In this episode:Jon Fortt, @jonforttJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

7 Jan 36min

After House Speaker Mike Johnson’s dramatic reelection, the lawmaker and President-elect Trump are reportedly planning a sweeping, multi-trillion dollar piece of legislation. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy discusses the GOP’s position heading into the inauguration, as well as the future of DOGE, potential tariffs, and Elon Musk’s role in the incoming administration. During his last weeks in office, President Biden is pushing through executive orders ahead of Trump 2.0. The fitness industry has weathered the pandemic and the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs in the past 5 years. Joey Gonzalez, Co-CEO and fitness bootcamp instructor at Barry’s, discusses the GLP-1 impact on his industry and his clientele. Plus, tech CEOs including Apple’s Tim Cook are donating to Donald Trump’s inauguration, and NYC congestion pricing has begun.  Kevin McCarthy - 14:54Joey Gonzalez - 30:00 In this episode:Kevin McCarthy, @SpeakerMcCarthyJoey Gonzalez, @BootcampJoeyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

6 Jan 34min

Bourbon Street in New Orleans has reopened with a heavy police presence after the New Year’s Day attack that killed 14 people. Walter Isaacson, a Tulane University professor and New Orleans resident, weighs in on the city’s resilience. Next, college football’s inaugural 12 team playoff brought a revenue surge to college sports. Sports Business Journal editor Abe Madkour discusses the blowouts and the tweaks that may come next season. Plus, President Biden has officially blocked Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion effort to buy U.S. Steel, a U.S. appeals court struck down the FCC’s landmark net neutrality rules, and the U.S. surgeon general issued a warning officially linking alcohol to cancer. Walter Isaacson - 10:02Abraham Madkour - 24:18 In this episode:Walter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

3 Jan 27min

Happy New Year! 2025 brings executive turnover to multiple corporate teams, including Apple, which is replacing its CFO, and Disney, where Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman is helping find a successor to Bob Iger. Dartmouth Tuck School of Business professor Paul Argenti weighs the succession plans at both companies. And this January, we’re in the thick of cold, flu, RSV, and norovirus; former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the uptick in illness this winter, as well as potential changes to the U.S. healthcare system. Plus, New York’s congestion pricing looms, and deadly incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas prompted security concerns on New Year's Day. Scott Gottlieb - 13:26Paul Argenti - 25:32 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

2 Jan 28min

In what U.S. Treasury officials described as a “major incident,” a state-sponsored Chinese hacking operation was able to access third-party software to tap into Treasury employees’ desktop computers. Theresa Payton, CEO of cybersecurity company Fortalice Solutions and former White House Chief Information Officer, discusses the implications of the hack. Next, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins breaks down why the last session of Congress is the least productive in the past several decades, enacting 427 pieces of legislation compared to numbers over 1,000 during other recent sessions. Plus, New York City congestion pricing is set to start as planned after a final ruling, and Elon Musk changed his name on X to “Kekius Maximus” and profile picture to Pepe the Frog. Happy New Year! Steve Kovach - 09:35Theresa Payton - 19:45Emily Wilkins - 31:18 In this episode:Theresa Payton, @TrackerPaytonEmily Wikins, @emrwilkinsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

31 Des 202434min

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at age 100. Roger Altman served as assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury under President Carter, and he reflects on former President Carter’s legacy in and after the White House. Next, The Wall Street Journal’s Tim Higgins discusses the rift between members of President-elect Trump’s inner circle and Elon Musk over immigration and H-1B visas. He explains about where Trump stands in the Musk-MAGA divide and examines Musk’s influence in political debates. Plus, Trump asked the Supreme Court to pause a law that could ban TikTok, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Treasury will need to take “extraordinary measures” to avoid the debt ceiling. While the world mourns Jimmy Carter, the business community also mourns HBO and Cablevision founder Charles Dolan.  Roger Altman - 14:08Tim Higgins - 27:52 In this episode:Tim Higgins, @timkhigginsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

30 Des 202430min

Recent rifts in MAGA-world have taken place both online and in the House Chamber. On X, Elon Musk is sparring with far-right activist Laura Loomer over HB-1 visas, dividing Musk fans. During the government funding battle last week, President-elect Trump criticized Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a vocal opponent of the Trump-backed spending bill. Rep. Roy explains his and the other 37 GOP votes against the bill, underscoring his commitment to smaller government and responsible spending. Next, Russia rejected a call for an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine but said it’s ready to hold negotiations. Richard Haass, Council on Foreign Relations president emeritus, breaks down the implications. Plus, Netflix set a streaming record with its Christmas NFL games and Richard Parsons, former Time Warner CEO, has died at age 76. Chip Roy - 17:21Richard Haass - 27:03 In this episode:Rep. Chip Roy, @chiproytxRichard Haass, @RichardHaassAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

27 Des 202430min

Disney has reclaimed the top box office market share this year with “Moana 2,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Deadpool and Wolverine.” CNBC’s Julia Boorstin reports on the booms and the bust of the Lion King prequel “Mufasa.” Next, Aman Advani, CEO of the workleisure company Ministry of Supply, discusses the challenge that President-elect Trump’s tariffs pose to retailers and the potential cost of reshoring. Plus, which tech companies won Christmas? CNBC’s Steve Kovach breaks down the top tech gifts under the tree.  Julia Boorstin - 13:12Aman Advani - 16:56Steve Kovach - 25:30 In this episode:Julia Boorstin, @JBoorstinAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

26 Des 202427min