Squawk Pod

Disney is raking in streaming subscribers, but it’s still hiking the price for Disney+.  Gas prices may be on the decline, but inflation is still front and center for the Federal Reserve and Wall Street investors; CNBC’s Steve Liesman breaks down the market’s reaction to the latest inflation data, and political strategist and pollster Frank Luntz offers a rhetorical analysis for President Biden’s comments on inflation to the American people. Then, we zoom out: Mohamed El-Erian, Allianz and Gramercy advisor and president of Queens’ College, Cambridge paints the big economic picture of inflation, both stateside and abroad, and considers the paths forward for the Fed.  In this episode:Mohamed El-Erian @elerianmFrank Luntz, @FrankLuntzSteve Liesman, @SteveLiesmanAndrew Ross Sorkin: @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee: @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie 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.

Elon Musk sold nearly $7 billion worth of Tesla shares, just in case the courts mandate he follow through with his deal to buy Twitter. As a part of the Inflation Reduction Act the IRS will receive an $80 billion investment, but Sen. Tim Scott (R- SC) says it won’t help inflation, and it will unfairly impact the average American. The author of “America: A Redemption Story” shares his personal American story and details why he voted against the bill in the Senate. And layoffs could be coming to a Wall Street bloated with pandemic hires. Lydia Moynihan from the New York Post and CNBC’s Hugh Son break down the job (and bonus) cuts ahead for bankers as firms look to reduce costs. Plus, a loss for well-paid golfers, and Sweetgreen’s future is looking a little less sweet, and a little less green. In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin: @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee: @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer: @Kramer_KatieSen. Tim Scott: @SenatorTimScottHugh Son @Hugh_SonLydia Moynihan: @LJMoynihan Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The FBI searched Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s resort home in Palm Beach, Florida, escalating federal law enforcement scrutiny on Trump and sparking drama on both sides of the political aisle. CNBC’s Eamon Javers breaks down the unprecedented action by the FBI in search of classified National Archives-related materials. President Biden signed the bipartisan CHIPS act into law today, marking a huge win for the semiconductor industry and directing tens of billions of dollars towards manufacturing and $200B to research. National Economic Council director Brian Deese equates the legislation to the “decade-long investment to put a man on the moon.” Plus, retail investors are reentering the market as it shows signs of rallying. Could there be another meme stock surge or will investors get left holding the bag again? SoFi’s Liz Young and WSJ’s Gunjan Banerji deliberate.  In this episode:Brian Sullivan, @SullyCNBCKayla Tausche, @kaylatausche Gunjan Banerji, @GunjanJSLiz Young, @LizYoungStratEamon Javers, @EamonJaversKatie 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 tight vote after a weekend vote-a-rama, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, sending the legislation to the House. Brian Sullivan and Ylan Mui discuss the climate, health care, and tax bill as a “zombified” Build Back Better bill, and White House CEA member Jared Bernstein explains how the Democratic party envisions its impact on inflation, American families, and corporate players. Plus, workers are returning to the office en masse–or are they? Harvard Business School professor Tsedal Neeley and “employee whisperer” Jason Greer discuss the expectations from both employees and employers as the extended WFH season comes to a close.  In this episode:Tsedal Neely @tsedalJason Greer, @LaborDiversityJared Bernstein, @econjaredYlan Mui, @ylanmuiBrian Sullivan, @SullyCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKatie 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.

President Biden is set to sign the Chips and Science Act, aimed to support US semiconductor manufacturing. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) discusses the bipartisan effort to boost US competitiveness with China and other major chips producers. Also in Washington, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) has finally signed off on the Inflation Reduction Act, the Democrats’ reconciliation bill that includes hundreds of billions of dollars in spending on climate, health care initiatives. CNBC’s Ylan Mui reports that her support could cement the votes needed to pass the bill; the “vote-a-rama” starts this Saturday, so the Senate will be working through the weekend. The Biden administration has declared monkeypox a national health emergency, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb answers questions about its spread, its virulence, and the health system’s path forward. Plus, Visa CEO Al Kelly has issued a statement on the MindGeek child pornography lawsuit, and Warner Bros. Discovery hosted its first earnings call since its merger.  In this episode:Sen. Maria Cantwell, @SenatorCantwellYlan Mui, @ylanmuiJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKatie 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.

Gas prices may have peaked for now, but the road to lower inflation is long. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg discusses the U.S. energy economy and the giant inflation reduction act crafted by Senate Democrats. Pro golfer Phil Mickelson and ten of his co-competitors have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA after their participation in the Saudi-backed LIV tournament prompted suspensions from the PGA Tour. Tom Cruise’s performance in “Top Gun” impressed audiences, but not enough to lift Paramount Global’s stock price. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports that cyber security firm Mandiant has released research on a fake news propaganda ring in China. Plus, Walmart has announced layoffs just a week after cutting its profit outlook.  In this episode:Pete Buttigieg, @SecretaryPeteEamon Javers, @EamonJaversJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKatie 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.

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard says, with labor growth as strong as it’s been, it’s unlikely we’ve been in a recession–and we might have brighter economic days to come. In an extended interview, voting FOMC member Bullard discusses America’s path out of inflation, GDP growth in the second half of the year, and geopolitical and global health impacts on our economy. CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon reports on China’s response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s contentious trip to Taiwan. Plus, Instagram’s head is making a big move, and ready to meet your match in the metaverse? Match.com says, not yet.  In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKatie 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 our continuing coverage of the lawsuit against Pornhub parent MindGeek and Visa, hedge fund investor and Pershing Square billionaire Bill Ackman discusses the next steps he expects Visa and other credit card companies to take to ensure that their tools are not being used for harm. Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund Laila Mickelwait shares how many victims of non-consensual and underage pornography have come forward since the suit was filed. Ackman also weighs in on the recession debate and America’s road map out of inflation. Plus, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has landed in Taiwan.  In this episode:Bill Ackman, @BillAckmanLaila Mickelwait, @LailaMickelwaitJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKatie 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.

A district judge has denied Visa’s motion to be removed from a lawsuit against MindGeek, Pornhub’s owner. The judge upheld the legitimacy of the plaintiff’s allegation that Visa “knowingly” provided the tool for the site to monetize child pornography. Micheal Bowe, the lead attorney for the plaintiff, discusses suit against MindGeek, the fallout for Visa, and the precedent this case could set for all credit card companies. The Ford Foundation is marking five years since investing $1 billion from its endowment into significant social issues. President of the foundation Darren Walker discusses the ESG thesis and shares an update on the fund’s return rate: 28% to date. Plus a lucky Illinoisan is now a billion dollars richer after winning the third largest Mega Millions jackpot in U.S. history. In this episode:Darren Walker, @darrenwalkerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKatie 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.

As the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament begins, fans and athletes debate whether pros can simultaneously condemn human rights violations in Saudi Arabia and accept the Kingdom’s prize money. President of LIV Golf Atul Khosla tells CNBC’s Dominic Chu that it’s no different from a private equity fund’s commercial investment: just business. NYT foreign affairs op-ed columnist and author Tom Friedman discusses the geopolitics on New Jersey’s Bedmin green as well as other global headlines. He comments on President Biden’s two-hour phone call with President Xi Jinping, Nancy Pelosi’s upcoming trip to Taiwan, and the impact of China’s role in Ukraine on Sino-American relations. Plus, the power of the Kardashians: Instagram is rolling back its planned app changes after the influencer moguls brought their feedback to Meta.  In this episode:Tom Friedman, @tomfriedmanBecky Quick @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @AndrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.