Squawk Pod

Affirm’s Q4 & Big Tech in Court: Meta & Anthropic Rulings 8/28/26

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 has issued changes to the U.S. hog and poultry processing system.    Max Levchin - 13:30 Julia Boorstin - 25:46 Jessica Lessin - 29:47   In this episode: Jessica Lessin, @jessicalessin Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Julia Boorstin,  @JBoorstin 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.

Nvidia’s Blowout & an E-Shaped Economy 8/27/26

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 Partinevelos - 02:41 Sen. Dave McCormick -  15:53 Jason Wynn - 34:44   In this episode: Dave McCormick, @SenMcCormickPA Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Kristina Partsinevelos, @KristinaParts 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.

Angles of AI: Flexible Power, AI in Op-Eds, & Top Talent Moves 8/26/26

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 warning on AI, Stanley Druckenmiller has used AI in a Wall Street Journal Opinion piece, and OpenAI says goodbye to more top tech talent.    Robert Reich 20:40 Varun Sivaram 39:20   In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk 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.

Canada’s Side of Tariffs, DoD Drones, & The Bond Market Speaks 8/25/26

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 Defense’s multibillion dollar bet on drones.    Eunice Yoon - 06:05 Dominic LeBlanc - 23:14 Emil Michael - 35:42   In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Eunice Yoon, @onlyyoontv 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.

USTR Jamieson Greer & a GPU Lifecycle 8/24/26

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 investing in AI startup Perplexity. Sprout CEO Shelly Li built her company to recycle, refurbish, remarket, and retire GPUs and data centers. Li explains the lifecycle of AI hardware from hyperscalers and the residual value of old chips and underscores power as the biggest constraint in the tech ecosystem.    Megan Cassella - 05:34 Steve Liesman - 13:39 Jamieson Greer - 22:55 Shelly Li - 39:03   In this episode: Amb. Jamieson Greer, @USTradeRep Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Megan Cassella, @mmcassella Steve Liesman, @steveliesman 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.

Debating a California Wealth Tax & Adding AI to Therapy 8/21/26

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 Secretary Scott Bessent’s debt buyback plan, and Anthropic executives expect an IPO the same size or larger than SpaceX’s.   Ben Narasin - 15:31 Dr. Jon Cohen - 28:42   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.

U.S. Debt, Data Centers in the Midterms, & Coinbase CEO 8/20/26

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 threatened an “economic D-day” for Iran, and U.S. national debt has climbed above $40 trillion while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a debt buyback program.   Eamon Javers - 13:40 Brian Armstrong - 18:30 Frank Luntz - 29:21   In this episode: Brian Armstrong, @brian_armstrong Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntz Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC 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.

Moderna & Merck’s Cancer Treatment Win & Figma CEO 8/19/26

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 primary night for Democrats in Florida, investors are scrutinizing revenues from Anthropic and OpenAI, and shares of Unitree are surging in Shanghai, presenting a potential challenge to U.S.-based humanoid robotics.    Stephane Bancel & Dr. Dean Li - 15:13 Dylan Field - 33:35   In this episode: Dylan Field, @zoink 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.