California Wealth Tax & Top AI Picks for 2026 12/30/25

California labor groups are pushing to add a statewide wealth tax on billionaires to the November ballot, setting off a rift among Democrats and drawing backlash from the tech community. Ben Narasin, founder of Tenacity Venture Capital, breaks down the proposal, the response from Silicon Valley, and the political pressure facing Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna, who expressed support for the idea. Then, CNBC’s Courtney Reagan reports on the rising personalization of retail returns and Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives shares his top AI stock picks for 2026. Plus, metals rebound, President Trump continues his pressure on Fed Chair Jay Powell, and Meta acquires AI developer Manus. Ben Narasin 10:44Courtney Reagan 23:49Dan Ives  29:43 In this episode:Ben Narasin, @BNarasinDan Ives, @DivesTechCourtney Reagan, @CourtReaganJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliKatie 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.

New AI could bring new challenges in the new year. Investor and entrepreneur Bradley Tusk discusses AI regulation and AI power demands on the horizon. CNBC contributor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera explains the factors–drugs, oil, China, and immigration–at play in the Trump administration’s campaign against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. Also in geopolitics, President Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in Florida. Plus, silver briefly topped $80 for the first time, and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has spoken out about tariffs, labor, and the biggest challenges facing businesses in 2026.  Michelle Caruso-Cabrera 13:04Bradley Tusk 29:29 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happiness guru and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks discusses generosity, family, and gratitude this Boxing Day, and 5 New Digital founder Michael Zakkour shares insights about the holiday shopping season, including the retail winners across luxury and budget sectors. Plus, the news headlines that got us Squawking: a winter storm warning in the Northeast, U.S. military strikes in Nigeria, and one very lucky Poweball ticket holder.  Michael Zakkour - 10:25Arthur Brooks - 20:45 In this episode:Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerContessa Brewer, @contessabrewerSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanKatie 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.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: silver and gold prices are on the move, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he plans to meet with President Trump soon, one lucky lottery player wins Powerball’s second-largest payout ever, self-driving car startup Waymo is pausing robotaxi service in San Francisco, and Snowflake is reportedly in talks to acquire artificial intelligence software developer Observe. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.  Thanks to Steve Liesman and Leslie Picker for sitting in today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two holiday traditions, this Christmas Eve: NORAD’s Santa Tracker and the NBA Christmas Games. First, CNBC’s Steve Liesman shares a Christmas movie ranking, according to respondents of CNBC’s All America Economic Survey. Then, longtime Kevin Durant agent Rich Kleiman chats through the five NBA matchups planned for Christmas Day. Finally, U.S. Air Force NORTHCOM Commander General Gregory Guillot explains how NORAD tracks Santa Claus along his journey around the globe on Christmas Eve. Turns out, Rudolph’s nose does help navigation. Plus, a U.S. judge rejected a challenge to President Trump’s $100K H1-B visa fee, and golfer Brooks Koepka has left Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Happy Holidays! Steve Liesman - 11:20Rich Kleiman - 19:13Gen. Gregory Guillot - 28:52 In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Metals are trading higher with gold and silver hitting fresh record closes, Alphabet-owned Waymo is updating its driverless fleet after cars stalled during a San Francisco blackout, Alphabet-backed firm Motive has filed for an IPO, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Chicago, and the Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.7 billion. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead for AI and tech: commoditization and consolidation. CNBC’s Steve Kovach and former Facebook Chief Privacy Officer and General Counsel Chris Kelly map out the road ahead for tech’s most innovative companies. After a volatile year for crypto, investor Anthony Pompliano discusses asset prices and Coinbase’s latest acquisition of a prediction markets platform. Plus, Jim Beam has stopped bourbon production at its Kentucky facility for the next year, and the Kansas City Chiefs are moving. Happy Festivus! Steve Kovach - 17:54Chris Kelly - 23:21Anthony Pompliano - 31:45 In this episode:Anthony Pompliano, @APomplianoJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest chapter of the war for Warner Brothers Discovery, Paramount Skydance has amended its offering to outbid Netflix for the legacy assets. Gerry Cardinale, founder of one of Paramount’s key investors and strategic partners RedBird Capital Partners, addresses the WBD board’s concerns about the updated offer. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly exploring a U.S. vaccine schedule closer to Denmark’s. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the potential changes to the American health care system, including recommended shots and drug prices. Plus, the U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing another ship off the coast of Venezuela, NEC Director Kevin Hassett has weighed in on the Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs, and investor Bill Ackman suggested that Elon Musk take SpaceX public with a specific vehicle.  Gerry Cardinale - 20:25Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 40:33 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Waymo is back online in San Francisco after a service disruption during a city blackout, private equity firms Permira and Warburg have agreed to buy Clearwater Analytics in an $8.4B deal, the third installment of Avatar disappointed at the box office over the weekend, tonight’s Powerball jackpot is slated to be one of the biggest ever, and Softbank is working to close a $22B+ funding commitment to OpenAI before the end of the year.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After years of debate and scrutiny, TikTok has signed an agreement for a new U.S. joint venture. By January 22, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will be managed by three investors: Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Former TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer joins CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon to discuss the implications of this deal for geopolitics and data safety. Executive wine editor of Food & Wine Ray Isle brings his holiday sips to set, including recommendations at varying price points and varying ABVs. Amid tariffs and a growing nonalcoholic beverage trend, Isle says the wine industry has always been cyclical. Plus, Barack Obama’s 2025 list of favorite books includes a familiar title, and the Trump administration continues its Fed Chair interviews.  Steve Liesman - 05:51Kevin Mayer & Eunice Yoon - 15:40Ray Isle - 24:22 In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.