Two major corporate deals withered on Tuesday. A judge blocked the pending $25 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons, and President Biden reportedly plans to block U.S. Steel’s $14.1 billion sale to Nippon Steel. Dealmaking on public markets will continue in 2025, according to Lead Edge Capital founding partner Mitchell Green. The Alibaba, Uber, and Spotify backer discusses the IPO window as we wind down 2024. His rationale for a slow year for market debuts: many of the best companies raised enough capital in 2021 and 2022 to hold off on an IPO. Plus, Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka discusses the potential impact of President-elect Trump’s tariff plans on the supply chain and consumer prices. 

Mitchell Green - 14:35

Gene Seroka - 23:31

In this episode:

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

New York prosecutors have charged Ivy League grad Luigi Mangione with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, court records show. Though a manhunt is over for now, the health care industry may be ready for change. Next, Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Karim Sadjapour examines the power vacuum in Syria and the new leadership’s agenda for the nation. Plus, Dunkin' Donuts is making waves, but not just in your cup—find out why they’re showing up in bathrooms. And as the holiday travel season ramps up, The Points Guy Brian Kelly shares his top tips on how to maximize travel rewards and save this season.

Karim Sadjapour - 16:17
Brian Kelly - 26:43

In this episode:
Karim Sadjadpour, @ksadjadpour
Brian Kelly, @thepointsguy
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Rebel forces led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham overtook Damascus, prompting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and seek refuge in Russia. NBC’s Raf Sanchez joins from the Golan Heights border with the latest developments in Syria. Council on Foreign Relations President Michael Froman explains what the Assad’s fall could mean for politics in the Middle East and beyond. Next, the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked security concerns for corporate leaders, as well as a surge of outrage online, as Americans seethe over denied insurance claims. Partnership for New York President Kathy Wylde says the reaction online is almost worse than the killing itself. Plus, TikTok is one step closer to being banned in the U.S., and Juan Soto signed an historic contract with the Mets.

Eamon Javers - 02:46

Raf Sanchez - 12:17

Michael Froman - 17:36

Kathy Wylde - 25:47

In this episode:

Kathy Wylde, @Partnership4NYC

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Raf Sanchez, @rafsanchez

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Two days after a man fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, NYPD’s manhunt is ongoing. Former Boeing Chief Security Officer Dave Komendat explains how executive security details assess threats to executive leaders, especially as negativity abounds on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams discusses safety in the city, as well as housing and immigration in his city. Next, Taylor Swift wraps up her record-breaking Eras Tour this weekend in Vancouver. Kara Reynolds, professor of “Swiftonomics” at American University, discusses the billions of dollars spent by fans across the world to see her perform. Plus, a cryptic post from Roaring Kitty sparked meme stock volatility and President-elect Trump has announced picks for ambassador to China and "AI and crypto czar."

Dave Komendat - 16:53

Eric Adams - 21:25

Kara Reynolds - 37:05

In this episode:

Mayor Eric Adams, @NYCMayor

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Andrew Ross Sorkin shares highlights from The New York Times DealBook Summit yesterday, including his interviews with Jeff Bezos, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Prince Harry and former President Bill Clinton. Notable moments included Jay Powell comparing bitcoin to gold, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman calling Elon Musk a “mega hero,” and Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s comments on DEI. Plus, bitcoin has hit $100,000, and Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) the race for House Financial Services Committee chairman and his plans to work with a potential Department of Government Efficiency. 

Rep. Steve Scalise - 27:10

In this episode:

Rep. Steve Scalise, @SteveScalise

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly announced a period of emergency martial law on Tuesday, but reversed the order hours later after backlash from citizens and South Korean Parliament. In France, lawmakers will hold a vote of no-confidence today in Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s minority government. CNBC contributor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera discusses the international politics and economics at play. Next, Philips CEO Roy Jakobs highlights the use of AI in health care, including in imaging, administrative tasks, and patient care. Plus, Andrew Ross Sorkin previews his lineup at today’s New York Times DealBook Summit, President-elect Trump may be rethinking his Defense pick, and Campbell’s CEO is leaving to become an NFL team president.

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera - 13:23

Roy Jakobs - 29:28

In this episode:

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, @MCaruso_Cabrera

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Following news that Tesla buyers could be excluded from lucrative EV credits in California, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) is urging the state’s leaders to keep manufacturing in the state. In the name of bipartisanship, Rep. Khanna shares a list of agenda items ripe for collaboration across the aisle. Next, Crunch Labs founder and YouTuber Mark Rober discusses how he’s making science cool for kids. The former NASA employee and Apple engineer discusses the creator economy, coding for adults, and taking selfies from space. Plus, Elon Musk lost his bid for his $56B pay package, and Trump vows to block Nippon Steel’s bid for U.S. Steel.

Ro Khanna - 14:02

Mark Rober - 25:23

In this episode:

Rep. Ro Khanna, @RepRoKhanna

Mark Rober, @MarkRober

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The holiday season is in full swing, and happiness guru Arthur Brooks is offering advice to maximize gratitude into the new year. Host of the “How to Build a Better Life” podcast says Thanksgiving offers a helpful psychology, and that an emphasis on being “grateful, not cheerful” can improve mental health. Next, on this Cyber Monday, Amber Venz Box discusses the rise of live shopping on social media via influencers or creators. She co-founded LTK, a platform that helps influencers earn commissions by connecting them with brands to promote and sell products on social media. She says over a thousand creators on her platform are now millionaires. Plus, President Biden pardoned his son, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has stepped down, and President-elect Trump has picked Charles Kushner for ambassador to France and Kash Patel for FBI director.

Arthur Brooks - 17:20

Amber Venz Box - 31:38

In this episode:

Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooks

Amber Venz Box, @AmberVenzBox

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Black Friday is here, and while many shoppers are hitting the malls, others are taking advantage of deals on social media. Marketing and social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk highlights the rise of live shopping on social media as a potential disruption to the retail industry. Influencers are making millions of dollars each month through live shopping events on TikTok, he says, much like QVC. Next, Dr. Scott Gottlieb gives his perspective on the future of health care as President-elect Trump’s transition team takes shape, including Trump’s pick of RFK Jr. as health secretary. CNBC’s wealth reporter Robert Frank shares the impact philanthropy has had on the net worth of America’s richest people–and explains why Warren Buffett has already shared his will with his family. Plus, the FTC has launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft, and Moana 2, Wicked and Gladiator II had a successful Thanksgiving.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 21:19

Gary Vaynerchuk - 34:52

In this episode:

Gary Vaynerchuk, @garyvee

Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMD

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Steve Liesman, @steveliesman

Robert Frank, @robtfrank

Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

In this bonus episode of Squawk Pod, the beloved “Roundball Rock” NBA theme song could make a return to NBC. CNBC’s Alex Sherman shares the latest on the rights to the iconic song and whether fans will hear it when the NBA returns to NBC starting in 2025. The Roundball Rock composer himself, John Tesh, heard us squawking about his song and reacted to it on his podcast. Tesh then joined Squawk Box to share his perspective on the likelihood of a rights deal and his song making a comeback.

In this episode: 

Alex Sherman, @sherman4949

John Tesh, @JohnTeshMedia

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie