Squawk Pod

After news that Harvard is suing the Trump administration over its threats to cut funding, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt discusses antisemitism on college campuses and beyond. Plus, Washington Post reporter Faiz Siddiqui discusses his new book about Elon Musk’s leadership: “Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk.” Third Point CEO Dan Loeb spoke on Tuesday night about his belief in the resilience of the American economy, while President Trump backtracked his previous comments and said he has no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.  Jonathan Greenblatt - 19:12Faiz Siddiqui - 34:18 In this episode:Jonathan Greenblat, @JGreenblattADLFaiz Siddiqui, @faizsaysBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

23 Apr 40min

President Trump intensified attacks on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, fueling market volatility and concerns over the central bank’s independence. At the Chevron Leadership Initiative's CoMission Champions of Women in Sports event, Becky Quick sits down with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon to discuss market volatility, trade policy, economic uncertainty, and investing in women’s sports. Facebook co-founder and chair of the Economic Security Project Chris Hughes is out with a new book, “Marketcrafters.” Hughes discusses Fed independence and the future of capitalism. Plus, Harvard is suing the Trump administration, the Academy Awards set new AI rules, and the FTC is suing Uber over premium billing. Chris Hughes - 15:43David Solomon - 26:53 In this episode:Chris Hughes, @chrishugesBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

22 Apr 47min

Pope Francis, the Argentine Jesuit and Roman Catholic pontiff, has died at age 88. Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin reflect on his impact on the business community, and Andrew recalls his interview with the Pope just before the Covid-19 pandemic. President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, calling him a “major loser” and warning of a potential economic slowdown if interest rates are not lowered immediately. Krishna Guha, Evercore ISI vice chairman, weighs in on the possibility of Powell’s removal, the independence of the central bank, and the potential market implications. Then, CNBC’s Steve Liesman and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee discuss the state of the economy, the Fed’s inflation strategy, and the impact of the Trump administration’s tariff policy on the economy. Krishna Guha - 16:58Austan Goolsbee - 27:12 In this episode:Austan Goolsbee, @Austan_GoolsbeeSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

21 Apr 39min

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is in Beijing, just as U.S. officials are eyeing his company’s supply of AI chips to DeepSeek. CNBC’s Kristina Partsinevelos explains the line between maintaining competition and preserving national security when it comes to tech infrastructure. Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell expressed concern that the central bank could be caught between controlling inflation and supporting economic growth, as tariffs contribute to economic uncertainty. President Trump responded, calling for a rate cut and the termination of Jay Powell as chair. Plus, the IRS is attempting to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and shares of UnitedHealth Group plunged after the company cut its profit forecast. Kristina Partsinevelos - 26:40Peter Kraus - 31:43 In this episode:Kristina Partsinevelos, @KristinaPartsKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

17 Apr 39min

The Trump administration’s standoff with Harvard has frozen $2.2B in grants to the university. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is a Harvard alumna as well as Chairwoman of the Republican Leadership, and she’s calling to “defund Harvard.” For Rep. Stefanik, the government has a right to demand changes on campus and to withhold grant money. She discusses issues of free speech and antisemitism on college campuses. In his first interview since leaving office, former SEC Chair Gary Gensler weighs in on tariffs, negotiating with China, cryptocurrencies, and the betting markets. Plus, United Airlines is offering two profit outlooks, just in case the economy falls into a recession, and critical minerals may be the Trump administration’s next target for tariffs.  Elise Stefanik - 12:30Gary Gensler - 31:11 In this episode:Rep. Elise Stefanik, @EliseStefanikKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

16 Apr 45min

The Trump administration is investigating semiconductors and pharmaceutical ingredients, the first steps toward tariffs in those industries. Former FDA Commissioner and board member at Pfizer and Illumina Dr. Scott Gottlieb shares his concern that if costs get any higher for generics like heparin, hydrocortisone, and amoxicillin, drugmakers might stop manufacturing them. Dr. Gottlieb explains America’s pharma supply chain through China and India, as well as the thin margins on some of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. The Trump administration ordered a freeze on $2.2B grants to Harvard after the university rejected the White House’s demands for changes, including to DEI programs. The move has sparked another debate about free speech on higher education campuses. Plus, the Chinese government has reportedly ordered Chinese airlines to stop buying Boeing aircraft, and DOGE cuts in DC have hit the workforce in Virginia. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is still optimistic about his state’s future.  Glenn Youngkin - 21:21Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 39:36 In this episode:Glenn Youngkin, @GovernorVADr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

15 Apr 43min

President Trump exempted consumer technology and components from his reciprocal tariffs on Friday, though by the end of the weekend, his advisors warned that those exemptions may not be permanent. Apple has reportedly increased its iPhone production in India to avoid the impact of the White House’s tariffs on goods imported from China. In an extended conversation, former Federal Reserve Chair and former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen weighs in on the Trump administration’s tariff agenda, as well as the stability of U.S. treasurys. Former FTC Chair Lina Khan shares her own perspective on President Trump’s tariff agenda, and the two guests both align on one descriptor: chaotic. Khan, once the top antitrust watchdog, discusses the beginning of the FTC’s case against Meta, calling into question Facebook’s acquisitions of Whatsapp and Instagram.  Janet Yellen - 17:25Lina Khan - 35:47 In this episode:Lina Khan, @linamkhanKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

14 Apr 45min

This bonus episode of Squawk Pod, from our partners at “The Keynote” features a leader at the forefront of women’s sports. Seattle Storm Forward Nneka Ogwumike has already built her legacy as a WNBA Champion with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. TheMVP of league (also 2016). The first overall pick in 2012, and before that she brought Stanford to the Final Four, four years in a row. Now after the players opted out of their collective bargaining agreement her next challenge will be leading negotiations for a new contract in a pivotal time for women’s hoops. She spoke with Becky Quick about the growth of the WNBA, advocating for players and her approach to leadershipat the CNBC Sport: Inside the Business of Women’s Basketball event on April 5th 2025. To listen to other interviews from events check out “The Keynote by CNBC Events” here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-keynote-by-cnbc-events/id1493248246 For information on upcoming events visit: CNBCevents.com In this episode: Nneka Ogwumike, @NnekaOgwumike Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

12 Apr 19min