Squawk Pod

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

While Elon Musk’s close relationship with President-elect Trump may seem unprecedented, U.S. CEOs have been fostering relationships with the Oval Office for over a century, according to Tevi Troy of Ronald Reagan Institute. One example: Henry Ford and President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Next, it’s Christmas Eve! The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is back with its Santa tracking operations for the 69th year. General Gregory Guillot discusses NORAD’s efforts to monitor the airspace and track Santa’s journey. Plus, Trump’s FCC pick sent a stern letter to Disney’s Bob Iger, big banks are suing the Fed over the annual bank stress tests, and Hyundai will give its customers free EV adapters. Happy Holidays! Tevi Troy - 14:11General Gregory Guillot - 23:23 In this episode:Tevi Troy, @TeviTroyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

24 Des 202424min

Private health insurance companies are in the spotlight, as public frustration with the American health system grows. Wendell Potter was once vice president of Cigna, until the work convinced him to quit the industry completely. In a recent op-ed, Potter highlights the pressure shareholders have placed on public health companies, and where the industry can go from here. Next, The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern shares her top tech gift ideas for last-minute holiday shoppers. On her list are yearly digital subscriptions and paid password managers. Plus, lawmakers avoided a government shutdown, President-elect Trump has new picks for his administration, and the Lion King prequel fell flat during its box office opening weekend. Emily Wilkins - 02:28Wendell Potter - 14:37Joanna Stern - 23:45 In this episode:Wendell Potter, @wendellpotterJoanna Stern, @JoannaSternJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

23 Des 202426min

A government shutdown looms this Friday, and Congress is scrambling to find a funding bill that both parties will approve. The rush comes after President-elect Trump (and Elon Musk) scrapped a bill, and then a short term bill backed by both Trump and Musk failed to pass on Thursday. Emily Wilkins reports from DC on plans for “plan C,” and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) discusses the likelihood of another funding fight after the holidays. Kentucky distiller Michter’s is bracing for the possibility of a 50% tariffs on exports to the EU. CEO Joe Magliocco explains the strain of tariffs on the whiskey business, as well as President-elect Trump’s overnight tariff threat to the European Union. Plus, there’s a new bipartisan push to extend the deadline to ban TikTok.  Sen. Markwayne Mullin - 18:17Emily Wilkins - 27:33Joe Magliocco - 33:47  In this episode:Sen. Markwayne Mullin, @SenMullinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

20 Des 202439min

The Friday night deadline is looming for Congress to avoid a government shutdown after President-elect Trump, with the help of Elon Musk, sunk a compromise government funding bill. Representative Pete Sessions (R-Texas), DOGE Caucus Co-Chair, discusses where the negotiations stand and says he wants a “clean” continuing resolution without extraneous items. Next, Yale School of Management’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld shares CEO sentiment on tariffs and RFK Jr., based on a Yale survey of 200 top executives. Sonnenfeld weighs in on leaders like Jeff Bezos visiting Mar-a-Lago ahead of the inauguration. Plus, markets sunk on the Fed’s 25 basis point rate cut and its signals for 2025.  Rep. Pete Sessions - 16:42Jeff Sonnenfeld - 26:53 In this episode:Rep. Pete Sessions, @PeteSessionsJeffrey Sonnenfeld, @JeffSonnenfeldBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

19 Des 202438min

Congressional leaders have unveiled a 1,547-page stopgap spending bill that intends to avoid a government shutdown by the end of the week. The bill includes funding for disaster aid and farmers, reforms for pharmacy benefit managers, pay raises for lawmakers, and more. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins has the latest on the hurdles Congress faces to pass the legislation. Next, MSNBC Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough discusses the funding bill, as well as the influence of DOGE on Congress and whether there should be a congressional stock trading ban. Plus, Cris Krebs, SentinelOne chief intelligence officer and former CISA Director, gives his insights on cybersecurity threats under the incoming Trump administration. Joe Scarborough - 21:45Chris Krebs - 32:30 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsJoe Scarborough,@JoeNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

18 Des 202436min

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan sits down with Becky Quick on the Bank of America trading floor. He discusses his market outlook for 2025, the current state of the consumer, the Federal Reserve’s next move, and the incoming Trump administration, including M&A and tariffs. Next, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) discuss their bipartisan bill: the “Take It Down” Act would force social media companies to remove graphic deep fakes. Plus, Friday is the deadline for funding the government, Trump vows to “knock out” drug industry middlemen, and former TV host Carlos Watson is sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison. Brian Moynihan - 15:03Amy Klobuchar & Ted Cruz - 34:12 In this episode:Sen. Amy Klobuchar, @SenAmyKlobucharSen. Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruzBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

17 Des 202441min

Drones have been spotted flying above New Jersey over the past several days, sparking concern among residents and local lawmakers. New Jersey Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is urging action and clear communication from the federal government to quell public concern. Elon Musk biographer Walter Isaacson discusses Musk’s DOGE leadership and his relationship with President-elect Trump. A former news editor, Isaacson weighs in on ABC’s $15M defamation settlement with Trump and the flow of CEOs visiting Mar-a-Lago. Plus, the President-elect is reportedly considering privatizing the U.S. Postal Service, and Apple plans to introduce a foldable iPhone. Mikie Sherrill - 14:49Walter Isaacson - 23:51 In this episode:Rep. Mikie Sherrill, @RepSherrillWalter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

16 Des 202435min