Squawk Pod

Pershing Square Capital Management CEO Bill Ackman discusses why, after years as a “centrist,” he is supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Comparing the Harris campaign with Trump's, the hedge funder says a Trump win is “in the best interest of the country.” Ackman also discusses the spread of misinformation online–including in his own posts. Plus, a conversation about treasury yields evolves into a spirited political debate, and billionaire Warren Buffett tells CNBC he will not endorse any political candidates, despite impersonators and misinformation about him on social media.  Bill Ackman - 19:17 In this episode:Bill Ackman, @BillAckmanBecky Quick,@BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer,@Kramer_Katie

23 Okt 202452min

Billionaire and legendary investor Paul Tudor Jones is raising alarms about the U.S. government’s fiscal deficit and the increased spending proposed by both presidential candidates. In an extended interview, he warns that more spending could trigger a sell-off in the bond market. In managing his portfolio, Paul Tudor Jones is betting on commodities and the Nasdaq–but not on fixed income. Plus, Federal Reserve presidents Neel Kashkari and Mary Daly are speaking out on monetary policy, Nike renews its contract with the NBA and WNBA, and TGI Friday’s is filing for bankruptcy. Paul Tudor Jones    13:06 In this episode:Paul Tudor Jones, @ptj_officialBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

22 Okt 202434min

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban hit the campaign trail for Vice President Kamala Harris this weekend in battleground states Arizona and Michigan, while fellow billionaire Elon Musk campaigned for former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Cuban discusses why he’s supporting Harris, why he finds Donald Trump’s tariff plans to be “insane,” and explains that he’ll continue speaking his politics in spite of name calling on social media. Plus, Starboard Value has amassed a significant stake in Kenvue, consumer products brand formerly owned by Johnson & Johnson, and Disney announced a plan for chairman and for Bob Iger’s  CEO successor reveal. Mark Cuban: 4:10Alex Sherman: 30:23 In this episode:Mark Cuban, @mcubanBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

21 Okt 202431min

Israeli military forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Thursday, the architect of the Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel last year. Council on Foreign Relations president emeritus Richard Haass considers whether Sinwar’s death will be a turning point in the war in Gaza.  Next, MIT’s Simon Johnson was awarded the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences this week. Though he’s newly decorated, he emphasizes the importance of intellectual discourse in democracy. In election news, billionaires Mark Cuban and Elon Musk are hitting the (separate) campaign trails to support their respective picks for president, and Donald Trump’s gains on the election betting platform Polymarket may be inflated by a few big betters. Plus, CVS share prices plummeted as the company replaced its CEO. Richard Haass - 21:14Simon Johnson - 35:18 In this episode:Richard Haass, @RichardHaassSimon Johnson, @baselinesceneBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

18 Okt 202438min

After years of catering to mobile traders, Robinhood is launching “Robinhood Legend,” a new platform for desktop traders. CEO and co-founder Vlad Tenev joins from the first-ever Hood Summit in Miami to discuss the new platform and explain why he’s working on a separate AI project called Harmonic. Next, Meta has rolled out a new Instagram campaign to educate teens about "sextortion" scams online. Meta’s VP & Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis discusses new safety features and the challenge of keeping Meta’s platforms safe for its youngest users. Plus, Uber has discussed a bid for travel booking company Expedia, Vice President Harris gave a contentious interview with Fox News, and Gen X is most likely to max out their credit cards. Vlad Tenev - 19:30Antigone Davis - 30:01 In this episode: Vlad Tenev, @vladtenevAntigone Davis, @DavisAntigoneBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

17 Okt 202437min

United Airlines has announced a $1.5B share buyback program, its first since before the pandemic. The plan has inflamed an already contentious relationship between the airline and its flight attendants, who have been pushing for a new contract. The Association of Flight Attendants International President Sara Nelson calls the buyback a “big mistake” and argues that some of that money belongs to the airline’s workers. United CEO Scott Kirby responds to Nelson’s comments, insisting that flight attendants will get an “industry-leading” contract. Plus, Qualcomm might wait until after the election to decide whether to buy Intel and Tom Brady will soon be a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Sara Nelson - 15:19Scott Kirby - 24:02 In this episode:Sara Nelson, @FlyingWithSaraBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

16 Okt 202431min

Johnson & Johnson released higher-than-expected third-quarter earnings; CFO Joseph Wolk discusses the company’s performance, the latest updates on its talc subsidiary’s bankruptcy and his thoughts on the corporate tax rate heading into the 2024 election. Next, Vice President Harris released a new economic plan on Monday to give Black men more economic opportunities. Charles Phillips, Recognize co-founder and Black Economic Alliance co-chair, discusses the plan and why he’s supporting the Harris economic agenda. Plus, Fed Gov. Waller sees the need for “more caution” going forward with rate cuts, shares of Covergirl’s parent Coty fell after reporting weaker-than-expected revenue, and Tesla’s Optimus robots were assisted by humans at last week’s Cybercab event.  Joseph Wolk - 14:53Charles Phillips - 32:39 In this episode:Charles Phillips, @PhillipsCEBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

15 Okt 202439min

During SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight on Sunday, its launch tower successfully caught the rocket’s “Super Heavy” booster. “Elon Musk” Biographer Walter Isaacson discusses the latest SpaceX milestone, Tesla’s pivot to AI and robotics, and the Cybercab reveal. He also weighs how Musk’s endorsement of Fmr. Pres. Trump could impact Tesla’s performance. Next, CNBC’s Kate Rooney reports that Wall Street’s hedge funds are competing for an edge using AI, for example through quickly analyzing financial reports or avoiding the “emotional” pitfalls of trading. Plus, the latest national NBC News poll shows the two presidential candidates in a deadlocked race, Musk’s X drops Unilever from its advertising lawsuit, and Delta pauses its hot meal service on more than 200 Detroit flights because of a “food safety issue.” Walter Isaacson 12:22 In this episode:Water Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonKate Rooney, @Kr00neyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

14 Okt 202427min