5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 8/8/2025

Tesla is asking investors to approve another outsized pay plan for CEO Elon Musk of nearly $1 trillion. Tesla Chairwoman Robyn Denholm says the plan was designed to keep Musk “motivated and focused on delivering for the company.” Then, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick discusses the U.S. decision to lower tariffs on Japan, President Trump’s broader tariff agenda and the state of the economy where August’s payroll numbers came in significantly below expectations. Plus, CNBC’s Eamon Javers breaks down a ProPublica investigation into mortgages held by Trump cabinet members, and CNBC’s Angelica Peebles highlights the key takeaways from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's Senate hearing. Javers 3;42Peebles 10:44Denholm 20:27Lutnick 33:35 In this episode: Howard Lutnick, @howardlutnickAngelica Peebles, @angelicapeeblesEamon Javers, @eamonjaversBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

5 Sep 46min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: President Trump is planning substantial tariffs on semiconductor companies that don’t move production to the United States, bidders are lining up for a portion of Starbucks’ China operations, AI start-up Anthropic will stop doing business with Chinese majority-owned firms, the Trump Administration is abandoning a plan to force airlines to pay passengers for cancellations and PBS has cut about 100 staff positions due to  cut in federal funding. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

5 Sep 2min

U.S. housing regulator Bill Pulte began the campaign to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her post. He explains his allegations against Lisa Cook and her colleagues at the central bank. Hundreds of employees at GE Aerospace facilities in Ohio are entering their eighth day on strike. Their representative, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, discusses the deal he rejected, the demands on the table, and the future of American auto manufacturing. Plus, American Eagle reported positive results from its controversial ad campaign with Sydney Sweeney, the NYC mayoral race is back in the headlines, President Trump is attempting to save his tariffs in the courts, and the White House has invited tech CEOs to the building’s brand new patio.  Shawn Fain  19:42William J. Pulte 35:09 Shawn Fain, @ShawnFainUAWWilliam J. Pulte, @pulteEamon Javers, @eamonjaversBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie

4 Sep 44min

A federal judge ruled that Google can keep its Chrome browser but will be barred from entering exclusive contracts. CNBC’s Eamon Javers explains the new ruling and its implications for Google and big tech. And John Malone, Liberty Media chairman and author of Born to be Wired, breaks down the details of his memoir, his relationship with Barry Diller, CNN and the state of the media landscape. He also weighed in on the outlook for mergers and acquisitions, saying there are too many streamers in the market. Then, Daily Wire Co-Founder Ben Shapiro shares his perspective on the U.S. government’s stake in Intel and President Trump’s industrial policy. Plus, China celebrates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia President Vladimir Putin in attendance. John Malone 18:46Ben Shapiro 40:20 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @eamonjaversBen Shapiro, @benshapiroBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

3 Sep 50min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: A new ruling decided Google can keep Chrome, OpenAI is buying a product development startup for $1.1 billion, activist hedge fund Holdco is reportedly putting pressure on Comerica to sell or face a board challenge, Zscaler shares are up after strong revenue guidance, and Disney will pay $10 million to settle FTC claims it unlawfully collected children’s data. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

3 Sep 3min

A federal appeals court’s ruling late Friday that the vast majority of President Trump’s tariffs are illegal does not change the status quo for now, but it sets the stage for a showdown at the Supreme Court. CNBC’s Megan Cassella breaks down the latest developments in the tariff fight. McDonald’s announced that it is expanding its value offerings to reach more price-conscious diners. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski discusses the launch of the new Extra Value Menu, the health of the consumer, and the company’s exit from Russia. Plus, Kraft Heinz announced it will split into two public companies, and OpenAI rolls out updates to some of its safety features. Chris Kempczinski 19:13 In this episode:Megan Cassella, @mmcassellaBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

2 Sep 35min

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Nvidia shares are under pressure after reports Alibaba is developing a competing AI chip, Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares jumped nearly 20 percent on strong cloud growth, OpenAI is exploring partners to build a massive data center in India, Vogue editor Anna Wintour has chosen her successor, and the Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1.3 billion. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.

2 Sep 1min

As school season starts, the debate over phones in classrooms continues, with 35 states imposing restrictions on student mobile devices. Joanne Lipman, a Yale University lecturer, and Emily Boddy, a council member of Smartphone Free Childhood U.S., shared their perspectives on whether kids can use phones responsibly in school. Kyivstar is Ukraine’s largest digital and telecom provider; after going public on the Nasdaq in New York earlier in August, CEO Oleksandr Komarov discusses tech and business amid the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as Kyivstar’s partnership with Starlink. Plus, a judge will hear Lisa Cook’s lawsuit to block President Trump’s attempt to fire her as Federal Reserve governor, and CNBC’s Mackenzie Sigalos analyzes how Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are cutting middle management in the AI era. Oleksandr Komarov - 16:57Emily Boddy & Joanne Lipman - 24:36 In this episode:Joanne Lipman, @joannelipmanLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerWilfred Frost, @WilfredFrostAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

29 Aug 31min