Bob Iger is back! Disney’s board has decided, shortly after renewing CEO Bob Chapek’s contract, that his predecessor Bob Iger is better suited to lead the company than his handpicked replacement. So Bob (the first) is back, and it’s awkward for everyone. New York Times columnist and “Disney War” author James Stewart teams up with leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, from Yale’s School of Management, to discuss the succession mess at the House of Mouse, and what investors have ahead of them. Plus, the FTX mess continues in the Bahamas. CNBC’s Kate Rooney reports on the now shuttered FTX HQ in Nassau, and all the fallout for crypto investors and the man that triggered it all, Sam Bankman-Fried.

In this episode:

James Stewart, @JamesStewartNYT

Jeff Sonnenfeld, @JeffSonnenfeld

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In the wake of the midterms, a leadership shakeup in Washington: Nancy Pelosi will step aside from her leadership post, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is likely to take her place as Speaker of the House. FTX’s fiasco has triggered a crypto meltdown, and the mistakes of its leadership have renewed urgency for regulation in the space. Former SEC enforcer Lisa Braganca explains how regulators can protect crypto investors from future collapses like this one. Plus, in the reign of Elon Musk, Twitter is undergoing major layoffs, and, a story for the sneakerheads! Foot Locker’s new CEO Mary Dillon discusses her company’s big quarter and the trends giving a new life to “sneaker wardrobes.” Have a long memory about corporate name changes like Joe Kernen?  Check out this classic CNBC report on retail bankruptcies and how Venator became Foot Locker. 

In this episode:

Lisa Braganca: @LisaBraganca

Mary Dillon:@Footlocker

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Today's Squawk Pod is brought to you by the letters CZ, SBF, FTX … and BUSD? AML? There is, seemingly, no end to the many, many abbreviations, initials and vernacular related to the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and the aborted deal by the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, to buy it out before bankruptcy.  Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao “CZ” slams the behavior of his one-time friend and professional rival, FTX’s former leader Sam Bankman-Fried: “I’m just shocked.” CZ tells his behind-the-scenes story of Binance’s due diligence into the books at FTX and decision to walk away from acquiring the platform. Squawk Box anchors Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin get into all the tweets, the tokens, the DMs, the PR stunts, and what’s next for folks at places like the SEC and the DOJ.  Plus, the Republicans make a House majority official and Ticketmaster’s Taylor Swift fiasco hits Swifties of all generations. 

In this episode:

CZ, @cz_binance

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Despite a housing slump, Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison says that the home improvement business is going strong. In an interview after the company’s earnings beat, Ellison highlights the key demographic heating up its home-buying: millennials. For Royal Caribbean, demand is strong, too; CEO Jason Liberty recalls the rough seas during the height of the pandemic, but underlines the travel and cruise resurgence. Plus, former President Trump has officially announced his bid for the White House in 2024, and NASA’s Artemis 1 mission heads to the moon!

In this episode:

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, at 98, weighs in on the market’s latest hyped asset–and its collapse: crypto. As exchange FTX crumbles and its CEO faces regulatory and social scrutiny, Charlie Munger, a longtime partner and friend of Warren Buffett, compares this stock market story to all the ones he’s seen before. In an extended interview with Becky Quick, Munger considers the real value in the blockchain, examining the claim that bitcoin is the “new gold.” Plus, he might not tweet, but the seasoned billionaire has thoughts on Elon Musk and on Tesla, his “minor miracle.”

In this episode:
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Becky Quick @BeckyQuick
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever breaks the box office, showing the second highest opening weekend of 2022 and grossing $180 million domestically. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel joins the team to give an update on the appetite for media content as many companies are tightening their spending; Emanuel also speaks to recent controversies of anti-Semitism from celebrities Kyrie Irving and Kanye West. The collapse of crypto exchange FTX continues to shock investors and possibly exposes founder Sam Bankman-Fried to criminal liability. Plus, President Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping today to discuss the countries’ tumultuous relationship. The New York Times Foreign Affairs Columnist Thomas Friedman gives his take on the critically important relationship between the U.S. and China, China’s actions towards Taiwan and the possible future economic impact of intervention.

Thomas Friedman, @tomfriedman

Kayla Tausche, @kaylatausche

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The consumer price index increased 0.4% for the month and 7.7% from a year ago. Joe, Becky, and Andrew discuss how the better-than-expected report prompted a market rally, and consider next steps for the Fed in its fight against inflation. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy discusses the squeeze on consumers and the rising crime rates across the country. 

Crypto exchange FTX has filed for bankruptcy. After a tumultuous week in crypto, CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has stepped down. Plus, Elon Musk’s new Twitter Blue policy has proved confusing for tweeters, corporate and otherwise. 

In this episode:

Phil Murphy @GovMurphy

Eunice Yoon @onlyyoontv

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In a supersized episode, Becky Quick sits down with Nike co-founder Phil Knight for a rare interview. For the first time, Knight comments on Nike’s decision to cut ties with NBA star Kyrie Irving. The Oregon gubernatorial race is still too close to call; a proud Oregonian himself, Knight explains why he’s donated nearly $5 million combined to the Republican and Independent candidates, while Nike has publicly backed the Democrat candidate Tina Kotek. Once worth $32 billion, crypto exchange FTX is struggling to survive. SEC Chair Gary Gensler discusses regulators’ roles in protecting investors against the crypto collapse. Plus, an election update in Georgia: Senate candidates Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker are heading to a runoff in December. And, at the helm of Twitter, Elon Musk has nixed the blue check mark! 

In this episode: 

Gary Gensler, @GaryGensler

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

As results for the U.S. midterm elections trickle in, Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and Ylan Mui discuss the tightest races and the value–and lack thereof–in polling. Former Senator Judd Gregg and President Obama’s former chief of staff Bill Daley consider what the results might tell us about the electorate’s biggest concerns. The biggest corporate stories might be moving the markets even more than politics: Disney’s big disappointment, Meta’s 11,000 laid off employees. A crypto drama is also affecting the wider markets: crypto exchange Binance has offered to buy out its rival FTX. Circle CEO and crypto expert Jeremy Allaire discusses whether FTX’s liquidity issues are simply one of many crypto dominos to fall, as well as the celebrities and star investors that got caught up in the FTX hype. 

In this episode:

Jeremy Allaire, @jerallaire

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Becky Quick @BeckyQuick

Ylan Mui, @ylanmui

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie