Squawk Pod

Comcast plans to spin off its cable networks, including CNBC, E!, and MSNBC. CNBC’s founder and NBC Cable’s first president Tom Rogers is optimistic about the move and the influx of resources it might present for cable channels. Delta CEO Ed Bastian joins ahead of the airline’s 100-year anniversary and Delta’s annual investor day. Despite retailers like Target reporting inflation-conscious customers, Bastian says consumers are still spending on travel. While Bastian is confident that Boeing’s new CEO is working on the supplier’s many issues, for now, Delta is “an Airbus customer.” Plus, Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan’s NFL team is partnering up with Hallmark! Donovan discusses the Taylor Swift tailwinds for his fandom.

Tom Rogers - 2:21

Ed  Bastian - 17:09

Mark Donovan - 28:02

In this episode:

Mark Donovan, @Chiefs

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Department of Justice antitrust officials will reportedly ask a judge to force Alphabet to sell its Chrome browser. Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt considers the friction between big tech and the government, and weighs how tech regulation might change under another Donald Trump administration. In Schmidt’s new book “Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit,” he explores the future of tech and AI regulation, as well as the line between humanity and technology. Martha Stewart is now an author of 100 books! Stewart’s newest cookbook coincides with drama over the Netflix documentary chronicling her life. She sets the record straight on her feud with a journalist and her “brat” attitude, as lauded by Charli XCX on Saturday Night Live. Plus, Russia says Ukraine launched an attack with U.S.-made long-range missiles, and CNBC’s Megan Casella has the latest on the sweepstakes for Trump’s Treasury Secretary pick.

Eric Schmidt - 12:54

Martha Stewart - 27:10

In this episode:

Eric Schmidt, @ericschmidt

Martha Stewart, @MarthaStewart

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

As President-elect Donald Trump quickly reveals his picks for roles in his administration, Axios co-founder Mike Allen suggests what each name means for Trump’s priorities in his next administration. While some picks are surprises, the contenders for Treasury Secretary are predictable, so far. In the AI revolution, platform Perplexity is rolling out a shopping feature to extend user queries from informational to transactional. CEO and co-founder Aravind Srinivas says, successful AI models will start narrowing focus and offering actions, as well as answers. Plus, Tesla stock is surging, Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy, and the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery have reached a settlement.

Mike Allen - 05:39

Aravind Srinivas - 26:57

In this episode:

Mike Allen, @mikeallen

Aravind Srinivas, @AravSrinivas

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Vaccine stocks are falling after President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services. Former Walgreens Boots Alliance executive, John Driscoll, shares his concerns about the potential impact and what it could mean for the future of healthcare policy. Home Depot CEO, Ted Decker, discusses how inflation is hitting consumers and how the company is responding to the pressure. Plus, Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood discusses her bet on Tesla and what she thinks Elon Musk’s new role in government could mean for the company - and for the future of innovation in the U.S.

John Driscoll - 02:24
Ted Decker - 13:11
Cathie Wood - 30:29

In this episode:
Cathie Wood, @CathieDWood
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz, (R) Florida, to be attorney general. CNBC’s Eamon Javers has the latest from Florida on the surprising selection, as Gaetz is the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation into whether he engaged in sexual misconduct. Tom Barrack, a longtime Trump ally who chaired his 2016 inaugural committee, shares his insight on the president-elect’s hiring style, the Department of Government Efficiency and expectations for Trump’s second term. Plus, the FBI raided Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan’s home and the AI version of Andrew Ross Sorkin makes a special Squawk Box appearance.

Eamon Javers - 02:23

Tom Barrack - 19:32

In this episode:

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Tom Barrack, @TomBarrackJr

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

President-elect Trump announced last night that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will head a Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE for short, to trim government spending during his second administration. CNBC’s Eamon Javers has the Trump team’s latest from West Palm Beach. Next, the Senate is gearing up for a vote today on who will be the next majority leader. Eric Cantor, Wall Street executive and former Republican House leader, gives his prediction on the leadership race and discusses his outlook for M&A and regulation under Trump. Also, shares of fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant Cava are soaring on the company’s earnings beat. CEO Brett Schulman says Cava is a “category-defining brand” and discusses his growth outlook.

Eamon Javers - 02:23

Eric Cantor - 16:21

Brett Schulman - 27:20

In this episode:

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Eric Cantor, @EricCantor

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Lawmakers and economists are debating the future of the Federal Reserve after President-elect Trump’s promises to fire Fed Chair Jay Powell and Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) call to #EndTheFed. Judy Shelton and CNBC’s Steve Liesman to discuss the role of the central bank and the constitutional precedent for Fed independence. As the AI revolution ramps up, Goldman Sachs’s Jared Cohen highlights the infrastructure needed to support the technology’s energy demands. Cohen calls for “data center diplomacy” as AI underscores geopolitics and competition between China and the United States. Plus, the price of bitcoin reached nearly $90,000, Trump’s victory has lifted Elon Musk’s net worth by $70 billion, and Trump’s latest picks for his second administration include Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Mike Waltz and Gov. Kristi Noem.

Jared Cohen - 12:43

Judy Shelton - 25:53

In this episode:

Jared Cohen, @JaredCohen

Judy Shelton, @judyshel

Steve Liesman, @steveliesman

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

President-elect Donald Trump has begun to make his first appointments in his new administration. Over the weekend, he named Tom Homan as border czar, said Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo will not join his second term, and wrote on Truth Social that the Senate majority leader should agree to allow recess appointments to Trump’s cabinet. On X, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) suggested reasons to “#EndtheFed,” garnering support from Elon Musk. Lazard CEO Peter Orszag weighs in on Fed independence and discusses what to expect after the transfer of power, including the market impact and the M&A cycle. Next, Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott discuss the state of the housing market and their new HGTV show “Don’t Hate Your House,” focused on how homeowners who can't move are renovating their homes. 

Peter Orzag - 14:21

Drew & Jonathan Scott - 29:01

In this episode:

Drew Scott, @MrDrewScott

Jonathan Scott, @JonathanScott

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In the central bank’s latest decision, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by 25bps. While Democrats wrestle with what went wrong for Vice President Harris, Republicans are making plans for President-Elect Trump 2.0. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and former Trump staffer turned Harris-backer Anthony Scaramucci debate immigration policy and whether the country can “turn the page” under the new administration. Plus, Susie Wiles will be Donald Trump’s White House chief of staff, the Washington Post has called employees back to the office five days a week, and a New Jersey voter endorsed a certain Squawk anchor for president. 

Steve Liesman - 06:53

Vivek Ramaswamy & Anthony Scaramucci - 19:58

In this episode:

Vivek Ramaswamy, @VivekGRamaswamy

Anthony Scaramucci, @Scaramucci

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In the week leading up to election day, presidential election contracts on Polymarket, Kalshi, and PredictIt all indicated Donald Trump had a wider lead ahead of Kamala Harris than traditional polls. In his first-ever TV interview, Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan discusses his company’s role in elections and the rising popularity of prediction markets, which allow bettors to wager on election outcomes. The Wall Street Journal’s Tim Higgins highlights Elon Musk’s influence among young men, saying Musk gave them “purpose” in voting for Trump. Plus, the House race remains uncalled, smart ring maker Oura is out with a new report on election day stress levels, and Wall Street awaits the Federal Reserve’s next rate cut decision.

Shayne Coplan - 14:51

Tim Higgins - 32:15

In this episode: 

Shayne Coplan, @shayne_coplan

Tim Higgins, @timkhiggins

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY