Squawk Pod

President Trump has suggested that the U.S. may initiate more attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, and tariffs remain on center stage as the midterm elections draw nearer. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer discusses both from the White House North Lawn. Mathematician and NYU professor Tristan Buckmaster has been working on solving the Navier-Stokes Problem for years; now OpenAI agents have solved it, but Buckmaster believes his work was used in the process. The mathematician discusses his conversations with OpenAI’s leadership and his own concerns about models training on private work. Plus, CNBC’s Contessa Brewer is in...

It’s day two of a new media behemoth under David Ellison’s Skydance umbrella. Founding partner of Puck Matt Belloni details the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, and he considers the giant’s headwinds, including cable’s declining profits and ~$80 billion in debt. Michael Lewis wrote “Moneyball,” “The Big Short,” “Going Infinite,” and “The Blind Side,” and he’s now out with a new book: “Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State.” The bestselling author discusses government efficiency and his own dive into the federal workers who resisted in the early days of Elon Musk’s DOGE effort. Plus, protests rage on in France, young people...

28 days from the midterms, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) reflects on his tenure in government as documented in his new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.” Sen. Tillis shares his own regrets and his hopes for a Republican Party under pressure from a fractured voter base. As AI innovation continues to spark moral and ethical questions about humanity, machines, and the dignity of work, religious leaders have begun to participate in discussions of the technology’s future. Reverend Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, discusses the paths forward for humans and for society on the whole...

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton has been picked to serve as AI czar, leading a “Super Intelligence Force” to address growing concerns about AI. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is suggesting people “accept some bad things” in exchange for the benefits of AI. Professor, columnist, author, and happiness expert Arthur Brooks counsels AI users to retain control of their relationships in the AI era, and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) discusses potential AI regulation. Plus, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent goes on the record about the bond market, nearly 200 were hospitalized in Siberia after exposure to the plague, and elections in Brazi...

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen wrote a memoir of her time at Facebook, during which she leaked documents to The Wall Street Journal to shed light on what (and when) Facebook knew about the potential harms of its algorithms. The memoir is now part of the basis for “The Social Reckoning,” a film designed as a follow up to “The Social Network.” Frances Haugen herself explains how the world of AI is different from that of social media, and the role big tech can play in self regulation on both. Plus, former MTV CEO Michael Wolf discusses the $110B merger of Param...

Google is the latest tech giant to release its own AI agent as concerns about AI safety persist both inside and outside the tech industry. Elon Musk biographer, professor, and student of history Walter Isaacson discusses the AI doomsday narrative and the personality clashes behind the AI headlines. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky weighs in on the future of AI agents, including his own efforts to build one and the larger rhetoric problem that Silicon Valley has, when it comes to AI. Chesky issues a wake up call to his fellow tech leaders. Plus, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz is moving...

After President Trump hosted tech and AI leaders at the White House on Tuesday, the group ultimately agreed to an “Accord on Super Intelligence.” Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, in the room for the meeting, discusses the significance of the accord and liability issues for AI. While Axios has reported that Jay Clayton could be one of President Trump’s candidates for AI Czar, Clayton is focused on the outcomes of Tuesday’s meeting. Author of “The Infinity Machine” Sebastian Mallaby weighs in on the accord as well, addressing Dario Amodei’s relationship with the President and the friction betwe...

One week after a friendly summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, CNBC details an aggressive plot by China to infiltrate one of the United States’ most important institutions: the Federal Reserve. This explosive documentary delves into the incredible saga of a Chinese spy's effort to obtain secrets from the inner confines of the US top bank. It's a tale of sex, money, deceit and betrayal that put some of the country’s vital economic and financial secrets at risk. With exclusive access to new documents, audio, photos and text messages, CNBC's Senior Washington Corr...

As tech titans head to the White House for a meeting, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) discusses his expectations for the meeting, the future of AI guardrails, and the upcoming midterm elections. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is zeroing in on big tech’s tax breaks and the AI data center build out. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins responds to Anthropic’s “existential risk to humanity” in its IPO prospectus. Chair Atkins underscores his own mission to keep America’s IPO market strong. 

Paul Atkins - 08:30

Speaker Mike Johnson - 20:26

Sen. Elizabeth Warren - 38:35

In an extended interview, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang explains the company’s newest AI safety software–part of an effort to create a modern web browser for AI. Huang makes the case to innovate and understand technology before attempting to regulate it. Then, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek unveils his memoir, “Inside the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth.” Chapek recounts his long career at Disney and his tumultuous two and a half years as CEO, before being replaced by the very leader he succeeded: Bob Iger. Chapek reflects on the dramatic and disappointing end to h...

U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue has been in the room during the summit and state dinner between President Trump and President Xi this week. Amb. Perdue discusses the evolving relationship between the two leaders, bilateral trade, Iran, Taiwan, and the potential of U.S.-China  collaboration on AI. Plus, Ark Invest CIO and CEO Cathie Wood shares her outlook, as shared in her latest investor letter. A Tesla, SpaceX, Coinbase, Kalshi, and Robinhood investor, Wood discusses her bets on the future of tech. 

Megan Cassella - 02:33

Amb. David Perdue - 15:03

C...

Meta’s Muse Charm launch has prompted a surge in Meta stock as investors consider the wider implications of a device to harness AI. Media and tech watching Rich Greenfield discusses the gravity of this moment in the AI revolution and the value it could create for Meta shareholders. AOL co-founder Steve Case weighs in on the liability and regulatory issues that arise in a tech revolution. Plus, China’s President Xi Jinping is visiting the U.S. for the first time in 11 years, and the 30-year Treasury bond yield has hit its highest level since 2004, as investors weigh the...

As support for Democratic Socialists grows around the country, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a “Free Enterprise Express” bus tour to educate Americans on free market capitalism. President and CEO of the Chamber Suzanne Clark discusses the marketing of capitalism and its support–and frustrations–across the nation. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) discusses the fractures within his own party, including the rising popularity of DSA and growing discontent with the billionaires in his own district, Silicon Valley. Plus, President Trump said he’s in support of a full or partial ban on diesel exports, Treasury Secretary Scott Bess...

Outspoken investor, philanthropist and Home Depot founder Ken Langone is Squawk Box’s special guest. In an extended conversation, he discusses the consumer economy, his favorite stocks, and the intersection of business and politics. Langone joins a spirited discussion with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), looking ahead to the midterms and suggests he’s willing to pay higher taxes. Skybridge founder Anthony Scaramucci diagnoses the rise of President Trump to a few key moments in recent economic history. Plus, Paramount has paved a path to merge with Warner Brothers Discovery, east coast airports suffered disruptions as UNGA began, Jamie Dimon has...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is fresh off a meeting with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, just a few days before the meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. Sec. Bessent shares takeaways from his own meeting, including his perspective on AI competition between the U.S. and China and the regulatory responsibility of AI developers. Plus, Sec. Bessent discusses the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike and President Trump’s decision to revoke credentials from CNN, MS Now, and Politico journalists in the White House press pool. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the joint lawsuit CNN, MS...

Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI CEO, says artificial intelligence models need to stay aligned with humanity’s interests and says that, for his peers in the technology industry, it’s the most responsible path.  This conversation caps off a week of warnings about AI from guests on Squawk Pod.  The New York Knicks had to pause single-game ticket pricing for the season ahead when a glitch led to some eye-poppingly large numbers.  Sports manager Rich Kleiman is bullish on the future of the sports economy – with so much choice for consumers in how and where they want to cheer on their fav...

The Federal Reserve delivered a much-anticipated rate hike, part of new Chair Kevin Warsh’s goal to combat inflation. CNBC’s Steve Liesman reports on President Trump’s reaction to the rate-setting committee's unanimous move, and former Vice Chair Roger Ferguson describes what could happen to the economy now.  Rahm Emanuel, former Ambassador and former Chicago Mayor, on the personal politics of today’s Democratic Party.  Plus, OpenAI discloses new instances of AI models breaking past guardrails. 

Steve Liesman - 04:25

Roger Ferguson - 11:31

Rahm Emanuel - 25:59 

In this episode:<...

Jensen Huang, Mark Zuckerberg, and Dario Amodei discussed AI guardrails at the Salesforce conference this week, each with a different perspective on safety and innovation. In a Wall Street Journal piece, Reciprocal Research director Cameron Berg argues that AI systems are being built faster than humans can understand them. He pushes for study of the “science of the AI mind” in this modern era of science fiction. Billionaire mutual funder Ron Baron made literal billions from his long-term bets on Elon Musk’s Tesla and SpaceX companies. In an extended conversation, he discusses data centers in space, dystopian robots, and th...

Seven weeks away from the midterm elections, Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) discusses his own reelection campaign, the future of the Democratic Party, and rumors of his own run for President. Gov. Moore also weighs in on regulating data centers and their energy consumption. Manufacturing company Flex is spinning off its power and cloud business, and CEO Revaithi Advaithi explains her role in the AI infrastructure ecosystem and the long road of power development in the U.S. Plus, President Trump and Jensen Huang have weighed in on AI regulations, warnings, and guardrails. 

Gov. Wes Mo...

 Leaders in AI have joined a refrain to slow the pace of innovation as fears of AI’s risk to humanity mount. Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk have all commented on the concerns, while President Trump insists that competing with China is paramount. Former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, now an Independent, calls on President Trump to use his executive power to pause AI IPOs until regulation is passed. CNBC’s Leslie Picker reports on the IPO timeline for Anthropic and OpenAI amid the calls for a slowdown. Plus, Elon Musk biographer Walter Isaacson consi...

25 years since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Squawk Box remembers those who were lost and those who rebuilt. KBW CEO Tom Michaud, spared that day by mere chance, remembers the third of his colleagues who were killed in the south World Trade Center tower. Michaud also celebrates the heroism and unity that came after that day and highlights ways to foster a resilient community in New York today. In 2026, AI is becoming a flashpoint for concern and for unity. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang has suggested that cybersecurity companies stoking the fires of alarm, while President Trump dismissed AI fears an...

Former Google Design Ethicist Tristan Harris is now co-founder and president of the Center for Humane Technology, and he explains the alarm from AI researchers, executives, and investors on rogue and “uncontrollable” AI. Harris comments on AI regulation, leadership, the new opinion piece from Paul Tudor Jones, and recent departures from frontier labs like Anthropic. Canada’s Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre discusses the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and the future of his country’s politics. Plus, President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Democrat Senator John Fetterman spoke at the GOP Midterm Convention in Dallas.

Tris...

Microsoft has teamed up with the American Federation of Teachers to create guardrails for AI in classrooms. Microsoft President Brad Smith and AFT President Randi Weingarten discuss data protections for students using AI as well as the ongoing challenge of matching the paces of AI safety and AI innovation. A year after Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah, Governor Spencer Cox (R-Utah) has released his book, “Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt.” Gov. Cox discusses the importance of bipartisan discussion in a healthy democracy, and addresses concerns about data center construction in his state...

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods–including on U.S. steel and dairy–have taken effect as fallout continues from the collapse of trade talks last month. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is celebrating AGI after OpenAI released GPT-6 while the lab’s chief scientist issued a warning about AI scaling. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, discusses fraud in America’s healthcare system, global drug pricing and innovation, and the widespread impact of obesity drugs. Plus, a new documentary about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was unveiled at Telluride, and investor Kevin O’Leary ha...

: The long tail of the NBA’s shocking punishment of LA Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.  Podcaster Pablo Torre has been at the center of this story; he and Washington University’s Patrick Rishe discuss the latest reporting and the future options for the NBA. Rep. Greg Casar, the Texas Democrat who chairs the House progressive caucus, describes the need for legislation he’s introduced with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to ban artificial superintelligence, when concerns are high about hacks by rogue agents. Plus, diesel prices hit a new high, global bonds remain vulnerable and Vice Preside...

Nvidia has officially agreed to buy open-source artificial intelligence platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, as the chipmaker and world’s most valuable company moves into a future beyond hardware. The CEOs of both companies, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Hugging Face’s Clement Delangue,  join exclusively to discuss the terms of the courtship and the deal – and the future of artificial intelligence’s open source commitment. Plus, the NBA suspends Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer for violating terms of the league’s salary cap in signing Kawhi Leonard. And, New York City schools ban AI from elementary school classrooms

Jensen Huang...

Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO Greg Abel is in Tokyo, where he’s discussing the firm’s stakes in Japanese trading houses. Abel also discusses Berkshire’s Alphabet stake, a portfolio shift spearheaded by Warren Buffett. Then, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joins the show from the G20 in North Carolina. Ahead of a fireside chat with Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Sec. Lutnick discusses the data center boom, semiconductor tariffs, American competitiveness, and his own perspective on the collapse of trade talks with Canada. 

Greg Abel - 5:19

Sec. Howard Lutnick - 30...

Anthropic has secured a $35 billion deal with Nvidia-backed Lambda for a Texas data center, and today Apple welcomes its new CEO John Ternus, after Tim Cook’s 15 years on the job. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has assembled a 15-person business advisory council to bridge his office with Wall Street. One councilmember, RXR CEO Scott Rechler, discusses why he agreed to participate, despite initial uncertainty about the Mayor’s plans for New York. Plus, pioneer of index-fund investing David Booth has written a book on his investing philosophy: “Stay Calm: Learn to Embrace Uncertainty in Investing and Life.” The legendary investor...

In the first attack since July, the U.S. struck Iran at Larak Island. CNBC’s Dan Murphy reports on the latest exchanges from Dubai. OpenAI will end access to Cursor after SpaceX’s acquisition of the AI startup. At the G20 in Asheville, North Carolina, former U.S. Treasury official Joe LaVorgna explains his optimism about America’s economic trajectory and weighs in on both the Treasury’s bond buyback plan and Kevin Warsh’s next interest rate announcement. Plus, Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Erik Davis discusses the busy summer movie season and the five impressive weeks at the box...

After reporting a strong Q4, Affirm’s stock surged. Affirm CEO Max Levchin discusses his view of the consumer and the economy, from his position in buy-now, pay-later platform that also offers credit cards. Meta reached an $18 billion multi-state settlement in its social media addiction trial, as CNBC’s Julia Boorstin reports, and a judge ruled in favor of Anthropic, finding that the Pentagon took illegal action in categorizing the company as a supply chain risk.  The Information CEO and Editor-in-Chief Jessica Lessin discusses both tech headlines, as well as reports of an Anthropic IPO in October. Plus, President Trump...

Nvidia reported a blowout quarter, issuing optimistic revenue guidance that’s pushing the stock higher. CNBC’s Kristina Partsinevelos discusses CEO Jensen Huang’s comments after the report and the response on Wall Street. Senator Dave Mccormick (R-PA) discusses inflationary pressures on Americans in his own state, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Iran. Ahead of the midterms, Sen. McCormick discusses the future of Democrats, Republicans, and bipartisanship. Amid summer travel, CEO of Chase Travel Jason Wynn sees Americans sticking to their vacationing plans despite cost pressures. He calls it an “E-shaped economy.”

Kristina P...

Labor Secretary under President Clinton Robert Reich discusses the tariffs between the U.S. and Canada and AI’s impact on the workforce, as well as wealth taxes, the rise of populism in the U.S., and the K-shaped economy that he says is driving them both. One of the largest hurdles for AI and the data center race is power. Emerald AI CEO Varun Sivaram has built a solution in flexible power sourcing to ease strain on the grid, and backers like Samsung, Nvidia, and Salesforce have bet on his success. Plus, Bill Gates has issued a lengthy war...

Legendary investor Stanley Druckenmiller has penned a sharp op-ed criticizing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s new bond buyback strategy. In “Operation Economic Outcast,” President Trump is attempting to pressure Iran by way of its trading partners. CNBC’s Eunice Yoon explains China’s role in the strategy and in Iran’s oil economy. After U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed, tariffs set in on some Canadian exports to the U.S. Canadian Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc shares his country’s side of the negotiations. Plus, the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael discusses the Department of Defen...

After the U.S. treasury yields surged to levels not seen in nearly 20 years, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the Treasury would double the size of its government debt repurchases. Treasury Department officials tell CNBC’s Steve Liesman that the plan could be funded by the Treasury’s General Account Fund, or its “rainy day” fund. Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada have collapsed, bringing 50% tariffs into effect on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods coming over the border. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer explains his own perspective on the negotiations. Nvidia is reportedly considering...

Proposition 40, a proposed wealth tax in California, has sparked heated debate among investors, tech founders, and billionaires. Venture capitalist Ben Narasin argues that the tax and the solutions put forward by politicians including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) would harm the businesses that drive a large portion of America’s economy. Teletherapy platform Talkspace is betting that AI can do more good than harm in mental healthcare. CEO Dr. Jon Cohen explains how therapists and patients are using AI in and outside of traditional therapy. Plus, Joe Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin discuss the latest on bitcoin’s boom, Treasury Secreta...

The morning after crypto and tech leaders met President Trump at the White House, attendee and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discusses the Clarity Act vote in September. Armstrong is optimistic that crypto will begin a new bull run in the fall. AI data center construction has become a political flashpoint in the primaries and upcoming midterms as candidates navigate support and pushback in their communities. Pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz discusses data center marketing among constituents, as well as the future of the Democratic Party as the Democratic Socialists of America gain traction nationwide. Plus, President Trump has th...

Shares of Moderna and Merck are surging on positive results from a Phase 3 trial of a groundbreaking cancer treatment. After a decade in development, individualized mRNA “vaccines” and established cancer treatment Keytruda result in reduced risk of recurrence or death. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel and Merck Research Laboratories president Dr. Dean Li discuss this pivotal moment in medicine and how it fits into the long term visions for both Merck and Moderna. CEO of design and coding platform Figma Dylan Field discusses his company’s wild year as a public company and building public trust in AI. Plus, it was pri...

In an exclusive, rare interview, CEO and co-founder of Hims & Hers Andrew Dudum sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin. Dudum maps out his vision for an AI-enabled American healthcare system, comments on the FTC’s lawsuit, and reflects on his company’s impact on GLP1 access and affordability. CNBC’s Alex Sherman reports on the Buss family drama playing out on the Lakers, and Meta is once again on trial over social media addiction allegations. AI avatar startup Genies has made an AI version of CNBC’s Becky Quick, trained on Becky’s mannerisms, history, and perspectives. CEO Akash Nigam discusses...

OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman issues a call to amp up cybersecurity in the age of AI. Brockman addresses recent leadership departures at OpenAI, the open-weight model debate, and AI safety standards. Keller Cliffton, CEO of drone delivery company Zipline, discusses his company’s scaling deal with Uber. Together, the companies aim to notch one million drone deliveries a day. Berkshire Hathaway added $17 billion to its Alphabet stake, making the Google parent Berkshire’s third-largest holding. Plus, Congressman for Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has sparked heated pushback from the likes of Mark Cuban and Bill Ackman with...

Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor delivers a surprising result as pollster and strategist Frank Luntz discusses what it says about the state of the race and the growing influence of prediction markets on politics. Gary Vaynerchuk, founder of VaynerX and an investor in alternative sports, talks about the business of sports, his love of whiffle ball and his dream of one day owning the New York Jets. Plus, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman discusses the future of American space exploration and the space race now underway.

Frank Luntz - 03:20
Gary Vaynerchuk - 13:53
Jared Isaacman - 24:58