The United Airlines Buyback: A “Big Mistake”? 10/16/24

After years of catering to mobile traders, Robinhood is launching “Robinhood Legend,” a new platform for desktop traders. CEO and co-founder Vlad Tenev joins from the first-ever Hood Summit in Miami to discuss the new platform and explain why he’s working on a separate AI project called Harmonic. Next, Meta has rolled out a new Instagram campaign to educate teens about "sextortion" scams online. Meta’s VP & Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis discusses new safety features and the challenge of keeping Meta’s platforms safe for its youngest users. Plus, Uber has discussed a bid for travel booking company Expedia, Vice President Harris gave a contentious interview with Fox News, and Gen X is most likely to max out their credit cards. Vlad Tenev - 19:30Antigone Davis - 30:01 In this episode: Vlad Tenev, @vladtenevAntigone Davis, @DavisAntigoneBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

United Airlines has announced a $1.5B share buyback program, its first since before the pandemic. The plan has inflamed an already contentious relationship between the airline and its flight attendants, who have been pushing for a new contract. The Association of Flight Attendants International President Sara Nelson calls the buyback a “big mistake” and argues that some of that money belongs to the airline’s workers. United CEO Scott Kirby responds to Nelson’s comments, insisting that flight attendants will get an “industry-leading” contract. Plus, Qualcomm might wait until after the election to decide whether to buy Intel and Tom Brady will soon be a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Sara Nelson - 15:19Scott Kirby - 24:02 In this episode:Sara Nelson, @FlyingWithSaraBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Johnson & Johnson released higher-than-expected third-quarter earnings; CFO Joseph Wolk discusses the company’s performance, the latest updates on its talc subsidiary’s bankruptcy and his thoughts on the corporate tax rate heading into the 2024 election. Next, Vice President Harris released a new economic plan on Monday to give Black men more economic opportunities. Charles Phillips, Recognize co-founder and Black Economic Alliance co-chair, discusses the plan and why he’s supporting the Harris economic agenda. Plus, Fed Gov. Waller sees the need for “more caution” going forward with rate cuts, shares of Covergirl’s parent Coty fell after reporting weaker-than-expected revenue, and Tesla’s Optimus robots were assisted by humans at last week’s Cybercab event.  Joseph Wolk - 14:53Charles Phillips - 32:39 In this episode:Charles Phillips, @PhillipsCEBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

During SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight on Sunday, its launch tower successfully caught the rocket’s “Super Heavy” booster. “Elon Musk” Biographer Walter Isaacson discusses the latest SpaceX milestone, Tesla’s pivot to AI and robotics, and the Cybercab reveal. He also weighs how Musk’s endorsement of Fmr. Pres. Trump could impact Tesla’s performance. Next, CNBC’s Kate Rooney reports that Wall Street’s hedge funds are competing for an edge using AI, for example through quickly analyzing financial reports or avoiding the “emotional” pitfalls of trading. Plus, the latest national NBC News poll shows the two presidential candidates in a deadlocked race, Musk’s X drops Unilever from its advertising lawsuit, and Delta pauses its hot meal service on more than 200 Detroit flights because of a “food safety issue.” Walter Isaacson 12:22 In this episode:Water Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonKate Rooney, @Kr00neyBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

Companies like SiriusXM and Sonos are using AI chat bots to make customer service experiences “delightful,” thanks to new conversational AI technology from Sierra. The company’s Co-Founders Bret Taylor, who is also the Chairman of OpenAI, and Clay Bavor discuss the new technology and the competitive AI landscape. Next, Tesla held its highly anticipated Cybercab event last night and CNBC’s Phil LeBeau recaps what we learned – and didn’t learn – about the new Cybercab and Robovan. Plus, AMD launched a new AI chip to rival Nvidia’s, Pres. Biden urged Congress to pass Hurricane Milton relief funding, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stops by the Squawk Box set for a surprise appearance! Brett Taylor & Clay Bavor 11:29   Phil LeBeau 27:15 In this episode:Bret Taylor, @btaylorPhil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hurricane Milton hit Florida overnight as a Category 3 storm, leaving millions without power. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the recovery efforts and federal response in his state after experiencing two hurricanes in a row. Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner joins from the company’s emergency command center to talk about Walmart’s efforts to help victims of both storms. Next, Arthur Brooks, Harvard Kennedy School professor and former AEI president, says as we head into election day, the more you pay attention to politics, the more unhappy you will be. Plus, CNBC’s Robert Frank gives insight on Fmr. President Donald Trump’s promise to end ‘double taxation’ for Americans living abroad and Fed officials are divided on whether to cut rates by half a point in September. John Furner 13:00Gov. Ron DeSantis 18:28Albert Brooks 30:48 In this episode:Robert Frank, @robtfrankGov. Ron DeSantis, @GovRonDeSantisArthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The U.S. budget deficit has hit $1.8T, according to the Congressional Budget Office. As both presidential candidates discuss how to combat the federal deficit, Budget Committee Chair Rep. Jodey Arrington, (R) Texas, weighs in. Next, Carson Daly, host of “The Voice” and co-host of the “TODAY” show, talks about tackling mental health issues alongside Phil Schermer, CEO of Project Healthy Minds, as the organization prepares for its World Mental Health Day festival and gala tomorrow. Plus, Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning and the Dept. of Justice is considering a breakup of Google as an antitrust remedy. Eamon Javers - 07:18Rep. Jodey Arrington - 17:32Carson Daly & Phil Schermer - 31:56 In this episode:Rep. Jodey Arrington, @RepArringtonPhil Schermer, @philschermerBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

As we enter the final month before the election, Pollster and Political Strategist Frank Luntz discusses Vice Pres. Kamala Harris’ strategy and string of media appearances, including an interview on “60 Minutes” on Monday. Next, Rep. Chuck Edwards, (R) North Carolina, discusses the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in his district and the difficulty of accessing reliable on-the-ground information about the storm amid a rise in misinformation. For a list of hurricane relief resources to help the Helene victims, visit edwards.house.gov/helpWNC. Plus, Tampa braces for Hurricane Milton and Hindenburg Research shorts Roblox, alleging the company inflates user metrics to investors and has insufficient safeguards for its child gamers. Frank Luntz 12:17Rep. Chuck Edwards 27:23 In this episode: Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntzRep. Chuck Edwards, @RepChuckEdwardsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Under either Presidential candidates’ economic plans the federal debt will soar, but Fmr. Pres. Trump’s plan could cost twice as much as Vice Pres. Harris’s, according to a new report by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Retired Goldman Sachs Partner Abby Joseph Cohen discusses the state of the economy and the election’s impact on the markets. Next, on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks against Israel, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt talks about the rise in antisemitism in the past year and how to honor the lives lost. Plus, Starboard Value has taken a roughly $1 billion stake in Pfizer and Trump returned to Butler, Pa. this weekend for a rally after the assassination attempt this summer at that same location. Megan Cassella - 16:31Abby Joseph Cohen - 21:13Jonathan Greenblatt - 34:42 In this episode:Megan Cassella, @mmcassellaJonathan Greenblatt, @JGreenblattADLBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The commodities exchange KalshiEx has resumed accepting wagers on the outcome of the 2024 congressional election after a federal appeals court lifted a previous hold. Tarek Mansour, founder and CEO of Kalshi, discusses the potential impact to the current state of the election betting market. And, OpenAI announced a major funding achievement, securing $6.6 billion and reaching a post-money valuation of $157 billion, setting a competitive stage against Elon Musk's AI company, xAI. Walter Isaacson, author and Tulane professor, weighs in on the AI technology race between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Plus, CNBC’s Frank Holland breaks down the significant labor negotiation concluded with U.S. dockworkers and the United States Maritime Alliance reaching a tentative wage agreement, extending their current contract into 2025. Tarek Mansour - 15:59Walter Issacson - 27:29 In this episode:Frank Holland, @FrankCNBCWalter Isaacson, @walterisaacsonTarek Mansour, @mansourtarek_Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese