Advertise on podcast: Squawk Pod

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has admitted to having an affair with Alice Huang, a business executive who intelligence agencies have identified as a spy for China. The Nvidia board has begun an independent investigation, and U.S. officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio have raised concerns about Jensen Huang’s relationship. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the scandal and the national security risks at play. Journalist and author of “The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia and the World's Most Coveted Microchip” Stephen Witt discusses the risks to an AI ecosystem revolving around one man. He wrote the book on Jensen Huang–with the cooperation of Jensen Huang–and underscores the CEO’s own emphasis on being a family man. Plus, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy considers the paths ahead for both political parties. He considers the lessons the GOP must learn from their major losses at the midterms, and looks ahead to what could be a pivotal 2028 primary.    Eamon Javers - 02:55 Stephen Witt - 18:57 Kevin McCarthy - 32:15   In this episode: Stephen Witt, @stephenwitt Kevin McCarthy, @SpeakerMcCarthy Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two days after election day, the Nasdaq notched its largest single-day dollar loss on record after $2.5 trillion in market cap was wiped out from AI, neoclouds, and other tech companies. At play is Democratic state governance and regulation, potential data center slowdown, and the overall tech debt landscape. Anthropic’s IPO could become the fulcrum of the entire tech ecosystem, thanks to circular financing deals in tech and AI. Then, billionaire investor Ron Baron has been invested in Elon Musk for well over a decade. On the day of the annual Baron Conference in New York, the legendary founder of Baron Capital explains his long-standing support of Tesla and SpaceX–despite the hit both stocks took after Thursday’s rout. Plus, Kalshi co-founder and CEO Tarek Mansour discusses potential regulation under Democrats and how pollsters and prediction markets got the blue tsunami right in their midterms forecasts.    Ron Baron - 18:17 Tarek Mansour - 41:27   In this episode: Tarek Mansour, @mansourtarek_ Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After the Democrats flipped both the House and the Senate, The Information CEO and founder Jessica Lessin discusses tech’s allegiances across different administrations, including how Silicon Valley’s politics may swing with power shifts on Capitol Hill. AI pioneer Kai-Fu Lee, former lead at Google China and at Microsoft China, has penned a new book on leadership: “AI Native.” Most CEOs, he says, are going about the AI revolution all wrong. Lee also believes there’s room for China and the U.S. to win the AI race. Plus, OpenAI has pledged to solicit community input in its data center development in a new series of commitments published today.    Jessica Lessin - 18:11 Kai-Fu Lee - 34:54   In this episode: Jessica Lessin, @jessicalessin Kai-Fu Lee, @kaifulee Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democrats have flipped the House and the Senate in a “blue tsunami” that swept the nation. Pollster and strategist Frank Luntz shares his own exit polling data and considers the motivating factors for many Republicans who voted Democrat in the midterms. Luntz argues, the votes were more a rejection of the GOP than they were an embrace of the left. Then, one Democrat fresh off his reelection win: Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Considered a potential candidate for the 2028 election, Governor Moore discusses the future of the Democratic Party and the hopes of “exhausted” voters. Plus, CNBC’s Megan Cassella reports from Washington, and Robert Frank reports on the voter consensus on taxing the wealthy.    Megan Cassella - 11:14 Frank Luntz- 24:29  Gov. Wes Moore - 38:35    In this episode: Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntz Gov. Wes Moore, @iamwesmoore Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Robert Frank, @robtfrank  Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy election day! Results from the midterms could impact CEOs, dealmaking, and the regulatory landscape; CNBC’s Megan Cassella reports on the key races Wall Street is watching. Hedge funder Bill Ackman, with nearly $33 billion under management at Pershing Square, shares his perspective on the markets as the midterms begin. While he’s personally invested in SpaceX, he views the company as too uncertain for inclusion in his hedge funds. Rahm Emanuel, former White House Chief of Staff for President Obama, former congressman, and former Chicago Mayor, discusses America’s political landscape heading into the midterms. He’s calling for the Democratic Party to shift back to the center, rather than further left. Plus, OpenAI hired former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as senior counselor for national security modernization.   Megan Cassella - 02:43 Rahm Emanuel - 12:45 Bill Ackman - 31:18   In this episode: Bill Ackman, @BillAckman Rahm Emanuel, @RahmEmanuel Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a new travelogue docuseries, actor, comedian, and avid golfer Bill Murray joins friend and author Tom Coyne on a trip through Ireland’s golf courses. Bill and Tom share their journeys with Ireland, their own family roots, and their respective golf games. American Express CEO of 20 years Ken Chenault now serves as Chairman of the famed venture firm General Catalyst. He’s penned a book about his lessons from the C-suite, both on leadership and on citizenship: “Equal to the Task: A Life Forged Between America’s Promise and Its Truth.” Plus, after the biggest crypto heist in history, Binance said it processed $4.65 billion in withdrawals and $1.01 billion in deposits on November 1, with net outflows amounting to 2.1% of Binance’s $171 billion in total assets.    Ken Chenault -  14:11 Bill Murray & Tom Coyne - 28:15   In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Binance was hacked in the largest crypto heist ever, impacting $6.3 billion, and Alphabet stock suffered its worst day since Google went public in 2004, dropping 13% on Thursday and wiping out roughly $500 billion in market cap. Just days away from the U.S. midterms, Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) addresses her party’s hopes for voters as they cast ballots with affordability in mind. As Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. DelBene also addresses the Democrats’ voting scandal in Alaska. Plus, biographer Walter Isaacson discusses Elon Musk’s involvement in politics, including his latest X post warning that democracy is at stake in the upcoming election.    Suzan DelBene - 16:34 Walter Isaacson - 30:20   In this episode: Rep. Suzan DelBene, @RepDelBene Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh announced that the Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady. CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down the decision, and former director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn looks to the Fed’s future, risks in the AI economy, and what’s coming for consumers. Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) now leads the Airlines for America trade organization, and he warns that jet fuel prices will continue to feel pressure from the Iran war. He’s watching his own brother’s election as well as the rest of the key midterms races around the country. Plus, ECB President Christine Lagarde is stepping down, and the Milwaukee Brewers are baseball’s world champions for the first time in their history.    Steve Liesman - 04:37 Gary Cohn - 16:23 Chris Sununu - 35:34   In this episode: Gary Cohn, @Gary_D_Cohn Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Steve Liesman, @steveliesman Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

California voters will decide next week whether to impose a one-time 5% tax on residents worth more than $1 billion. Paris School of Economics Professor Gabriel Zucman joins to advocate for the proposal while Stanford’s Joshua Rauh explains why it will generate far less revenue than projected. Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker breaks down the pockets of unrest around the world: Houthis in Yemen, protests in Europe, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Israeli elections still have no clear winner, and Amb. Volker warns that it may be some time before results are declared. Plus, GM is planning to roll out new hybrid vehicles, and Sam Altman is warning the public about cybersecurity risks exposed by AI   Zucman/Rauh - 13:22 Volker - 31:55     In this episode: Gabriel Zucman, @gabriel_zucman Joshua Rauh, @joshrauh Kurt Volker, @kvolker Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anthropic’s S-1 is out! Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Squawk Box are dissecting it and what it means for the AI ecosystem and other AI IPOs. CNBC’s Leslie Picker unpacks the eye-popping numbers and the remaining questions after the landmark filing. Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to 27% of its total workforce as the company ramps up its spend on AI compute power. In an exclusive conversation, World Bank President Ajay Banga explains the AI opportunities around the world, including in developed and developing economies. Fresh off the Global AI and Digital Summit in South Korea, he’s focused on developing critical mining infrastructure and AI innovation in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and tourism. Electronic Arts co-founder Bing Gordon, the man responsible for Madden NFL and The Sims, is out with a book of life lessons, co-authored with his daughter.    Leslie Picker - 02:26 Ajay Banga - 17:16 Bing Gordon - 28:51   In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Leslie Picker, @LesliePicker Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SpaceX has secured a $40 billion debt financing package, Ukraine is disputing Elon Musk’s claim that the country violated Starlink’s terms, and Elon Musk himself is weighing in on neocloud companies, comparing their life spans to those of guppies. In Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term, and in Europe, protests rage on. Editor in Chief of The Economist Zanny Minton Beddoes argues that the unrest has little to do with immigration, and everything to do with citizens deeply frustrated by their governments. Plus, BioMarin CEO Alexander Hardy is working to bring drugs to the 30 million patients with rare diseases.    Zanny Minton Beddoes - 10:27 Alexander Hardy - 25:10   In this episode: Zanny Minton Beddoes, @zannymb Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OpenAI is working on a $30 billion funding round from Coatue and the UAE, among others, which would bring the company’s valuation up to $1.25 trillion before Anthropic’s imminent IPO. Elon Musk's ambitions for SpaceX include a merger with Tesla and a strategy for cell towers. President Trump reportedly asked Elon Musk to restore Ukraine’s access to Starshield, but Business school professor Christopher Marquis wants to reform MBA programs, and Moderna’s new vaccine data is good news for melanoma treatment. Plus, CNBC’s Steve Liesman shares more results from his latest All-America Economic Survey, including the approval ratings for President Trump and American sentiment around AI.    Steve Liesman - 15:42 Christopher Marquis - 22:46'   In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Steve Liesman, @steveliesman Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of Anthropic’s highly-anticipated IPO on the Nasdaq, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman discusses her exchange’s strategy to win listings in the AI IPO race. Tesla reported its latest financials as the board considers the details of a SpaceX-Tesla merger. CNBC’s Steve Liesman shares the results of his latest All-America Economic Survey: sentiment on the economy is about as gloomy as it was immediately after the pandemic. Plus, former Bridgewater CIO Rebecca Patterson has penned a book of investing wisdom for market savvy folks without personal investing expertise. In a wide-ranging conversation, she discusses AI’s weights and buoys for the larger economy, global market risks, and market liquidity.    Steve Liesman - 08:21 Adena Friedman - 16:34 Rebecca Patterson - 28:26   In this episode: Adena Friedman, @adenatfriedman Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Steve Liesman, @steveliesman Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SpaceX shares jumped after it reported surging revenue growth and Elon Musk floated a potential merger of the company with Tesla. Altimeter Capital’s Brad Gerstner says Musk needs to make sure a deal is fair for Tesla shareholders and expects at least a 30% premium to where the stock trades today. United Airlines slashed its profit outlook as fuel costs continue to bite. CEO Scott Kirby says airfares will have to go up in order for carriers to be profitable.   Brad Gerstner - 18:18 Scott Kirby - 47:44   In this episode: Brad Gerstner, @altcap Phil LeBeau, @Lebeaucarnews Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Ryan Anastasio, @Ryan_Anastasio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Europe, it’s an autumn season of unrest. Council on Foreign Relations President Michael Froman discusses protests across France, Belgium, Italy, and other EU nations as politics, affordability, and upcoming elections collide for frustrated citizens. Froman also considers the path forward for the war in Ukraine, particularly after President Trump, Russian President Putin, and Chinese President Xi are considering a trilateral meeting about the conflict. OpenAI is reportedly aiming to accelerate fundraising before its own IPO and before Anthropic’s IPO, and Chinese tech giants Bytedance, Alibaba, and Tencent have placed massive chip orders from Nvidia. Plus, Director of Villanova’s Sports Law and Business Program Andrew Brandt is ready for the first NBA faceoffs of the season. The most anticipated game will tip off at Madison Square Garden, where LeBron James will make his season debut at the Knicks and 76ers match-up.   Michael Froman - 17:31 Andrew Brandt - 28:26   In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.