Squawk Pod

President-elect Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for his inauguration next month. CNBC Beijing Bureau chief Eunice Yoon says it’s unlikely that Xi will attend, but shares her insight on Trump’s China policy, including the threat of tariffs and his stance on Taiwan. Next, Spanx founder Sara Blakely has a new venture: a high-heeled sneaker called “Sneex.” The self-made billionaire discusses her entrepreneurship journey and inspiration, from shapewear to shoes. Plus, Amazon reportedly plans to donate $1M to Trump’s inauguration, higher egg prices are back, just in time for the holidays, and mysterious drone sightings continue over New Jersey. Eunice Yoon - 15:35Sara Blakely - 23:38 In this episode:Eunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvSara Blakely, @sarablakelyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

New bipartisan legislation in Washington aims to break up pharmacy benefit managers after years of scrutiny on PBMs from Congress and the FTC. Health care insurance executive Mark Bertolini is now CEO of Oscar Health, and he spent years leading Aetna and CVS Health. Today, he reflects on American health care, his vision for an improved system, and his own security detail in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder. In a wide ranging and very personal conversation, Bertolini shares his experience with 18 years of chronic pain and the treatment that changed his life. Plus, Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is explaining his edited Spotify wrapped, and Elon Musk is inching closer to trillionaire status, thanks to a new Tesla stock milestone.   Mark Bertolini - 17:42 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Preroll 00:00ad 1 14:28ad 2 36:18TRT 36:44

Two major corporate deals withered on Tuesday. A judge blocked the pending $25 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons, and President Biden reportedly plans to block U.S. Steel’s $14.1 billion sale to Nippon Steel. Dealmaking on public markets will continue in 2025, according to Lead Edge Capital founding partner Mitchell Green. The Alibaba, Uber, and Spotify backer discusses the IPO window as we wind down 2024. His rationale for a slow year for market debuts: many of the best companies raised enough capital in 2021 and 2022 to hold off on an IPO. Plus, Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka discusses the potential impact of President-elect Trump’s tariff plans on the supply chain and consumer prices.  Mitchell Green - 14:35Gene Seroka - 23:31 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

New York prosecutors have charged Ivy League grad Luigi Mangione with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, court records show. Though a manhunt is over for now, the health care industry may be ready for change. Next, Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Karim Sadjapour examines the power vacuum in Syria and the new leadership’s agenda for the nation. Plus, Dunkin' Donuts is making waves, but not just in your cup—find out why they’re showing up in bathrooms. And as the holiday travel season ramps up, The Points Guy Brian Kelly shares his top tips on how to maximize travel rewards and save this season.Karim Sadjapour - 16:17Brian Kelly - 26:43In this episode:Karim Sadjadpour, @ksadjadpourBrian Kelly, @thepointsguyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Rebel forces led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham overtook Damascus, prompting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and seek refuge in Russia. NBC’s Raf Sanchez joins from the Golan Heights border with the latest developments in Syria. Council on Foreign Relations President Michael Froman explains what the Assad’s fall could mean for politics in the Middle East and beyond. Next, the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked security concerns for corporate leaders, as well as a surge of outrage online, as Americans seethe over denied insurance claims. Partnership for New York President Kathy Wylde says the reaction online is almost worse than the killing itself. Plus, TikTok is one step closer to being banned in the U.S., and Juan Soto signed an historic contract with the Mets. Eamon Javers - 02:46Raf Sanchez - 12:17Michael Froman - 17:36Kathy Wylde - 25:47 In this episode:Kathy Wylde, @Partnership4NYCEamon Javers, @EamonJaversRaf Sanchez, @rafsanchezBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Two days after a man fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, NYPD’s manhunt is ongoing. Former Boeing Chief Security Officer Dave Komendat explains how executive security details assess threats to executive leaders, especially as negativity abounds on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams discusses safety in the city, as well as housing and immigration in his city. Next, Taylor Swift wraps up her record-breaking Eras Tour this weekend in Vancouver. Kara Reynolds, professor of “Swiftonomics” at American University, discusses the billions of dollars spent by fans across the world to see her perform. Plus, a cryptic post from Roaring Kitty sparked meme stock volatility and President-elect Trump has announced picks for ambassador to China and "AI and crypto czar." Dave Komendat - 16:53Eric Adams - 21:25Kara Reynolds - 37:05 In this episode:Mayor Eric Adams, @NYCMayorBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Andrew Ross Sorkin shares highlights from The New York Times DealBook Summit yesterday, including his interviews with Jeff Bezos, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Prince Harry and former President Bill Clinton. Notable moments included Jay Powell comparing bitcoin to gold, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman calling Elon Musk a “mega hero,” and Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s comments on DEI. Plus, bitcoin has hit $100,000, and Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) the race for House Financial Services Committee chairman and his plans to work with a potential Department of Government Efficiency.  Rep. Steve Scalise - 27:10 In this episode:Rep. Steve Scalise, @SteveScaliseBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly announced a period of emergency martial law on Tuesday, but reversed the order hours later after backlash from citizens and South Korean Parliament. In France, lawmakers will hold a vote of no-confidence today in Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s minority government. CNBC contributor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera discusses the international politics and economics at play. Next, Philips CEO Roy Jakobs highlights the use of AI in health care, including in imaging, administrative tasks, and patient care. Plus, Andrew Ross Sorkin previews his lineup at today’s New York Times DealBook Summit, President-elect Trump may be rethinking his Defense pick, and Campbell’s CEO is leaving to become an NFL team president. Michelle Caruso-Cabrera - 13:23Roy Jakobs - 29:28 In this episode:Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, @MCaruso_CabreraBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Following news that Tesla buyers could be excluded from lucrative EV credits in California, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) is urging the state’s leaders to keep manufacturing in the state. In the name of bipartisanship, Rep. Khanna shares a list of agenda items ripe for collaboration across the aisle. Next, Crunch Labs founder and YouTuber Mark Rober discusses how he’s making science cool for kids. The former NASA employee and Apple engineer discusses the creator economy, coding for adults, and taking selfies from space. Plus, Elon Musk lost his bid for his $56B pay package, and Trump vows to block Nippon Steel’s bid for U.S. Steel. Ro Khanna - 14:02Mark Rober - 25:23 In this episode:Rep. Ro Khanna, @RepRoKhannaMark Rober, @MarkRoberBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The holiday season is in full swing, and happiness guru Arthur Brooks is offering advice to maximize gratitude into the new year. Host of the “How to Build a Better Life” podcast says Thanksgiving offers a helpful psychology, and that an emphasis on being “grateful, not cheerful” can improve mental health. Next, on this Cyber Monday, Amber Venz Box discusses the rise of live shopping on social media via influencers or creators. She co-founded LTK, a platform that helps influencers earn commissions by connecting them with brands to promote and sell products on social media. She says over a thousand creators on her platform are now millionaires. Plus, President Biden pardoned his son, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has stepped down, and President-elect Trump has picked Charles Kushner for ambassador to France and Kash Patel for FBI director. Arthur Brooks - 17:20Amber Venz Box - 31:38 In this episode:Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksAmber Venz Box, @AmberVenzBoxBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie