5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 12/19/2025

Japan’s central bank has raised short term interest rates to their highest level in decades, data center deals have hit a record $61 billion in 2025, EU leaders will loan Ukraine $100 billion for defense, House leaders have committed to vote on an individual stock trading ban for lawmakers, and the U.S. government could be on its way to allowing Nvidia to sell its second-most powerful chip to China.  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.

President Trump defended his economic policies and outlined his agenda for the new year in a live address to the nation on Wednesday night. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) responds to President Trump’s comments and discusses the push to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years. Steve Schwarzman, CEO and co-founder of the world’s largest alternative asset manager Blackstone, sits down with Becky Quick as the firm celebrates forty years in business. He shares his perspective on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, AI, and the U.S. relationship with China. Plus, Trump Media announced a merger agreement with fusion power company TAE Technologies, Instacart shares are under pressure after an FTC probe into the company’s AI pricing,  House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries - 15:21Steve Schwarzman - 26:28 In this episode:Hakeem Jeffries, @RepJeffriesMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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 Warner Bros. Discovery board has unanimously recommended shareholders reject Paramount Skydance’s hostile bid for the company’s film and streaming assets. Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters joins CNBC’s David Faber, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss Netflix’s winning bid for Warner Bros., HBO, and HBO Max. Media watcher Rich Greenfield delves into the funding details of each offer, and Becky shares her own reporting on shareholder Mario Gabelli’s reaction to the news. Plus, it’s likely to be the biggest IPO of the year: Medline, a 58-year-old company you may have never heard of. CEO Jim Boyle explains why now was the perfect time for a public listing.  Greg Peters - 15:05Rich Greenfield - 27:14Jim Boyle - 38:26 In this episode:Rich Greenfield, @RichLightShedDavid Faber, @davidfaberBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

OpenAI is talking with Amazon about a possible investment, self-driving car company Waymo is in talks to raise $15 billion in 2026, bankrupt Spirit Airlines is looking to merge with Frontier Airlines again, reports say the Trump Administration is working on an executive order to speed up defense contractors’ production, and homebuilder Lennar is feeling the pressure from a cautious housing market.  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.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) discusses the GOP’s proposed health care bill and responds to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ comments about President Trump, published today in Vanity Fair. Ford is pulling back on electric vehicle investments, stock exchanges are exploring expanded trading hours, and prediction market Kalshi puts Kevin Warsh in the lead for President Trump’s Federal Reserve Chair pick. Plus, CNBC’s Steve Liesman reveals President Trump’s approval rating on affordability and inflation in the latest CNBC All America Survey, and a panel of experts explain the implications of November’s jobs data, out–after a government shutdown delay–from the BLS. Steve Liesman - 14:10Rep. Steve Scalise - 22:58Jobs Panel - 36:42 In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew 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.

New York City’s outgoing Mayor Eric Adams gives an exit interview just weeks before he hands the office over to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. He reflects on decades serving New York, and shares his concerns about the city’s next chapter. Then, pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz warns that Americans are at their breaking point when it comes to affordability. Plus, SpaceX is gearing up for an IPO in 2026, police are investigating the tragic shootings in Rhode Island and Australia, and NEC Director Kevin Hassett makes his case for Fed Chair. Mayor Eric Adams - 13:15Frank Luntz - 33:13 In this episode:Eric Adams, @NYCMayorFrank Luntz, @FrankLuntzMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew 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.

Chinese data shows the nation’s economic slowdown deepened in November, Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai was convicted on all charges in a landmark national security trial, Sanofi shares are down after two setbacks for the company’s multiple sclerosis treatment, ServiceNow is reportedly in talks to buy cybersecurity startup Armis, and Zootopia 2 has hit $1 billion at the box office.  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.

The morning after President Trump signed an executive order for a national AI regulatory standard, the White House’s senior policy advisor on AI Sriram Krishnan explains the administration’s AI agenda. Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) discusses both AI legislation and the health care battle underway in the Senate, just weeks before ACA subsidies expire. Plus, President Trump may sign an executive order to reclassify marijuana, and AI tech stocks are sliding.  Eamon Javers - 9:55Sen. Dave McCormick - 18:19Sriram Krishnan - 33:08 In this episode:Sriram Krishnan, @sriramkDave McCormick, @SenMcCormickPAEamon Javers, @eamonjaversMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump has signed executive orders on AI, the Federal Reserve has voted to reelect 11 of its dozen federal bank presidents, Costco shares are slightly lower after that company’s quarterly report, NASCAR has settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by two of its teams, including one owned by Michael Jordan, and Elon Musk has confirmed reports that SpaceX plans to IPO next 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.

The Federal Reserve has announced a 25 basis point rate cut as President Trump inches closer to naming his pick for next Federal Reserve chair. CNBC’s Sharon Epperson explains the decision’s impact on consumers and personal finance. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) discusses the independence of the Fed and Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery assets. Famed “big short” investor Steve Eisman shares his perspective on the markets, including the AI thesis that he’s “paying attention to every day.” Eisman also gives a personal PSA after his breast cancer diagnosis. Plus, Oracle shares tumbled after reporting its quarterly numbers, the U.S. has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and Cisco stock eclipsed a record set in 2000. Sharon Epperson - 16:06Steve Eisman - 19:58Senator Elizabeth Warren - 34:55 In this episode:Elizabeth Warren, @SenWarrenSharon Epperson, @sharon_eppersonBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe 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.