Squawk Pod

DOGE’s cuts in Washington have begun; former Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney explains the costs of running the government, the friction between Congress and the White House, and Elon Musk’s grand plan for efficiency. As we close in on the Super Bowl, CNBC’s Contessa Brewer reports on the game day bets, and sports entrepreneur Rich Kleiman discusses the networking opportunities for NFL players on and off the field in New Orleans. Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s longtime NBA agent, also weighs in on NBA trades. Plus, U.S. lawmakers are pushing to ban DeepSeek on government devices. Mick Mulvaney - 18:24Rich Kleiman - 34:19 In this episode:Rich Kleiman, @richkleimanContessa Brewer, @contessabrewerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

6 Feb 43min

China has retaliated against President Trump’s tariffs with trade restrictions on American imports. CNBC’s Eunice Yoon is on the ground in Beijing, reporting on the CCP’s strategy. In DC, CNBC’s Megan Cassella explains the status of tariff negotiations between the U.S. and both Canada and Mexico. Amazon Prime Vice President Jamil Ghani weighs in on the tariffs’ impact on his own business. Amazon’s competitors Temu and Shein may feel the squeeze from President Trump’s executive order eliminating a de minimis provision. Amazon’s Chinese sellers may also get hit by these changes. Plus, tech investor and Tesla bull Cathie Wood shares her big ideas for 2025. The Ark Invest CIO and CEO explains why she’s long bitcoin, humanoid robots, and robotaxis.  Cathie Wood - 17:30Jamil Ghani - 34:23 In this episode:Cathie Wood, @CathieDWoodEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvMegan Cassella, @mmcassellaSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

4 Feb 39min

President Trump’s plans for tariffs on Canada and Mexico have prompted promises of retaliation from Canada, as well as concerns of a brewing trade war among America’s neighbors. In a newsmaking interview, the Trump administration’s National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett underscores a “misinterpretation” of President Trump’s executive order on tariffs. He says, it’s a drug war, not a trade war. CNBC’s Megan Cassella reports on the details of tariffs and their looming deadline, Phil LeBeau discusses their impact on the auto industry, and Steve Liesman explains the economic calculus of trade, the potential of recession for Canada, and the trajectory of the American economy. Plus, Elon Musk hosted a Spaces discussion on X late Sunday evening. CNBC’s Steve Kovach reports on the big takeaways, including Musk’s comment that President Trump gave him permission to end USAID. Megan Cassella - 03:56Phil Lebeau - 08:29Steve Kovach - 13:25Kevin Hassett - 25:06Steve Liesman - 42:23 In this episode:Phil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanMegan Cassella, @mmcassellaAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

3 Feb 47min

Jason Wright has ended his tenure leading the NFL Washington Commanders and has joined Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson in a women’s sports investing venture. The venture, Project Level, is a part owner in the newest National Women’s Soccer League franchise in Denver. The two leaders discuss investing in women’s sports and betting on diversity in boardrooms to boost corporate bottom lines. Plus, President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services appeared on Capitol Hill for two intense days of confirmation hearings. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. answered Senator questions about Medicare, Medicaid, and vaccinations, but former FDA Commissioner and Pfizer board member Dr. Scott Gottlieb said RFK’s responses showed a failure to fully grasp the fundamentals of the current healthcare system. Plus, the clock is ticking on President Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico. CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down the economics of the plans.  Steve Liesman - 06:25Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 15:46Mellody Hobson & Jason Wright - 26:55

31 Jan 35min

In the wake of the deadly aircraft crash over the Potomac River outside of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, CNBC’s Phil LeBeau and Eamon Javers report the details of the fallout. American Airlines pilot and spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association Dennis Tajer explains how planes typically navigate the heavy flow of air traffic around this airport. Separately, Blackstone’s President and COO Jon Gray explains his firm’s multibillion dollar bets on AI infrastructure on the heels of impressive quarterly financial results. Jon Gray - 17:05In this episode:Phil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsEamon Javers, @EamonJaversAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

30 Jan 27min

With DeepSeek continuing to dominate the tech headlines, LinkedIn Co-Founder Reid Hoffman weighs in on the state of the AI race and the level of competition as the U.S. and China gear up for an innovation stand-off. Also, the market tries to keep up with the tech world’s reaction to DeepSeek. Plus, billionaire Elon Musk is working with Boeing to find ways to deliver delayed Air Force One replacements faster. And, the Trump administration has unfrozen a freeze on federal grants and loans, while Starbucks reported earnings that beat estimates. Reid Hoffman - 15:40 In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerKatie Kramer, @Kramer_KatieReid Hoffman, @reidhoffman

29 Jan 32min

The fate of the Panama Canal hangs in balance as lawmakers spar over whether the U.S. will try to take control of it. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, offers his thoughts on the geopolitical battle ahead of the committee’s hearing. Plus, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes gives a preview of his new book, “The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource,” discussing how tech companies have monetized attention. Also, President Donald Trump says China's DeepSeek AI “should be a wake-up call” for American tech companies, Google says it will change Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’ in the Maps app, and short seller Andrew Left is looking to dismiss his fraud case with the Justice Department. Ted Cruz - 17:59Chris Hayes -  30:21 In this episode:Sen. Ted Cruz, @tedcruzChris Hayes, @chrislhayesAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

28 Jan 35min

A massive market sell-off prompts discussion – and fear – around Chinese AI startup DeepSeek; the company’s latest large language model innovation has displaced OpenAI’s ChatGPT in popularity and, possibly, effectiveness.  AT&T CEO John Stankey weighs in on the rate of innovation and evolving business models, as well as the state of the wireless market. Plus, Former U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) discusses international technology and the future of TikTok. Relations between China and the U.S. have reached a possible inflection point. John Stankey - 19:12Patrick McHenry - 31:00 In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

27 Jan 38min