Variant Preparedness, Reports from Beijing, & Debt Drama

Elite university campuses are fraught with tension as students clash with each other and college administrations over the Israel-Hamas War. Over 100 students have been arrested from pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Yale, NYU, and Columbia campuses, videos of brazen antisemitism have gone viral, and one Rabbi in Columbia’s community encouraged Jewish students to go home for their own safety. NYC Rabbi David Ingber explains the escalations and safety concerns, while donor and Columbia Business School alumnus Leon Cooperman discusses the responsibilities of higher education institutions. Plus, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz maps out the Federal Reserve’s road ahead, and Elon Musk is at odds with Australia’s Prime Minister over posts on X.  Rabbi David Ingber - 12:11Leon Cooperman - 22:44Joseph Stiglitz - 26:26 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

At Columbia in New York, protests and antisemitism on campus have prompted a day of remote learning for student safety, as well as commentary from Mayor Eric Adams. In DC, the House has passed a series of bills securing aid funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as the divest-or-ban TikTok bill. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the legislation and its impact on Speaker Mike Johnson’s career. In the thick of Wall Street’s earnings season, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg discusses his company’s latest financial results and inflation’s pressures on consumers. Plus, pollster Frank Luntz is taking stock of Gen Z’s opinions on capitalism and democracy. He urges corporate America to pay attention to their grievances.  Emily Wilkins - 03:16Frank Luntz - 09:55Hans Vestberg - 19:42 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

After Israel’s retaliatory strike at Iran, NBC’s Raf Sanchez is on the ground in Tel Aviv, reporting that both countries are downplaying an escalation. Stateside, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins discusses the TikTok divest-or-ban bill’s road through Congress, including its vote this weekend. Former White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra explains the national security threats and TikTok’s road ahead. Plus, Meta has launched its newest AI tool, former President Trump’s criminal trial jury has been selected, and HGTV’s Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott discuss the housing market, maximizing value, and flipping for profit.  Raf Sanchez - 02:49Emily Wilkins - 13:32Aneesh Chopra - 16:43Drew & Jonathan Scott - 23:53 In this episode:Raf Sanchez, @rafsanchezEmily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Caitlin Clark will make under $77,000 a year as the WNBA’s top pick, while her counterpart in the NBA will make $10.5m. CNBC’s Jon Fortt explains the gender gap in sports salaries and in revenues. Microsoft has found that Russia’s election interference is already underway; the company’s former cyber policy head and current chief public policy officer at SentinelOne Chris Krebs says it’s a group effort, to keep global votes safe from bad actors. Plus, Google employees were laid off after protesting, President Biden is reimposing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, and The Wall Street Journal uncovered Amazon’s secret operation to gather intel on competitors like Walmart: Big River. Plus, Squawk Pod is nominated for a Webby Award! It’s your last day to vote for us, so don’t forget to show your support here. If you haven’t heard our nominated episode, check out our special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Steve Kovach - 12:54Chris Krebs - 17:55 In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJon Fortt, @jonforttMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Months after a Delaware judge voided Elon Musk’s pay package from Tesla, Tesla is asking shareholders to vote again on Musk’s $56B compensation deal. In a proxy statement, the company is also asking shareholders to approve moving Tesla’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas. Tulane Law professor Ann Lipton parses the proxy and the legal precedent for this shareholder vote. President Biden is hoping to triple the China tariff rate on steel and aluminum imports, and Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is signaling a longer wait for rate cuts. Plus, the 2024 Paris Olympics are 100 days away! Olympians Maggie Steffens, the Team USA Women’s Water Polo Captain, her teammate Ashleigh Johnson, and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Paralympian Courtney Ryan say their training is just as intense as ever. And don’t forget to show your support for Squawk Pod! We’re up for a Webby Award, but we can’t win without your votes. Vote for Squawk Pod here, and check out our nominated special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Ann Lipton 15:08Ashleigh Johnson, Courtney Ryan, Maggie Steffens - 26:12 In this episode:Ashleigh Johnson, @theAshJohnsonMaggie Steffens, @maggiesteffensMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Days after bitcoin’s weekend plunge and days before the bitcoin halving, Galaxy Digital CEO Michael Novogratz discusses the trajectory of crypto assets amid geopolitical and monetary policy uncertainty. Shares of Trump Media are down 60% from the company’s high in March, after its debut. Semafor business and finance editor Liz Hoffman discusses Truth Social, the platform Trump Media owns, and she considers who owns the volatile stock–and why. House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to split an aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies into separate bills. Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman discusses what’s at stake for Speaker Johnson (R-LA) and for the GOP. Plus, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on lawmakers encouraging the Nasdaq to delist Chinese companies blacklisted by the Defense Department. And don’t forget to show your support for Squawk Pod! We’re up for a Webby Award, but we can’t win without your votes. Vote for Squawk Pod here, and check out our nominated special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Jake Sherman - 02:27Emily Wilkins - 06:33Mike Novogratz - 12:06Liz Hoffman - 24:02 In this episode:Liz Hoffman, @lizrhoffmanJake Sherman, @JakeShermanEmily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In a first-ever direct attack, Iran launched 300 drones and missiles at military targets inside Israel. The New York Times National Security Correspondent David Sanger explains the geopolitics at play in the Middle East and beyond, including the roles of China and Russia in a conflict between Iran and Israel. CNBC’s Eamon Javers discusses the US response in Washington, and CNBC’s Steve Liesman explains the impact of escalating tensions on the markets and on Fed policy. Plus, it’s tax day! IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel shares news we can all use: late filing fees, online returns, and the probability of a refund–even from 2020! And, Squawk Pod is nominated for a Webby Award! Vote for Squawk Pod here and support our special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Eamon Javers - 02:55David Sanger - 11:00Steve Liesman - 18:54Daniel Werfel - 29:01 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @EamonJaversAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The Anti-Defamation League has released its Antisemitism Report Cards, grading U.S. universities on rates of antisemitism and administration responses to discrimination against Jewish students. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt explains why institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Princeton got failing grades, and what it means for prospective students. As food inflation rises, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discusses rising costs, dwindling farmland, and encouraging entrepreneurship among American farmers. Amazon stock has hit an all-time-high, nearing a $2T market capitalization; head of internet research at Evercore ISI Mark Mahaney explains his stock picks for the tech sector. CNBC’s Julia Boorstin reports that the divest-or-ban TikTok bill is hitting snags in the Senate. Plus, what do Taylor Swift and Squawk Pod have in common? We’re both nominated for a Webby Award! Vote for Squawk Pod here and support our special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Mark MahaneyJulia Boorstin 13:37Tom Vilsack 16:34Jonathan Greenblatt 24:48 In this episode:Jonathan Greenblatt, @JGreenblattADLAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie 

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin at Amazon headquarters in Seattle, the morning Jassy published his annual letter to shareholders. In an extended, wide-ranging conversation with Andrew, Andy Jassy discusses AI-enabled transformations (like delivery drones!), building out technology for every part of the tech stack, and streaming sports on Amazon Prime. Plus, Jassy weighs in on regulator scrutiny on the tech industry, as well as in-office work. Plus, Squawk Pod is up for a Webby Award! Vote for us here and support Squawk Pod’s special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Andy Jassy - 10:48 In this episode:Andy Jassy, @ajassyAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The Consumer Price Index came in hotter than expected, rising 3.5% from a year ago and 0.4% on the month. CNBC’s Rick Santelli and Steve Liesman break down the report and its implications for the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy with former Labor Department Chief Economist Betsey Stevenson. A Boeing engineer has turned whistleblower, alleging issues on the Boeing aircraft assembly line. Former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt discusses the workplace culture across the airline industry, taking stock of the toll manufacturing culture takes on aircraft safety. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo is urging Congress to approve regulatory tools to crack down on cybercriminals using cryptocurrencies. Adeyemo explains his concerns with crypto crime, including the Treasury's recommended reforms. Plus, Intel has unveiled a new AI chip, the USPS is raising the price of stamps, and Scrabble is making board changes to encourage teamwork. Wally Adeyemo - 12:55Randy Babbitt - 19:00 In this episode:Wally Adeyemo, @wallyadeyemoSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie