Nicolás Maduro in New York & Versant on the Nasdaq 1/5/26

CNBC’s Eamon Javers and Brian Sullivan report on the flow of Venezuelan oil to the United States. Venezuela will give the U.S. sanctioned oil indefinitely, that oil will be sold to American oil companies, and the proceeds will be held in American banks until the President determines it can be returned to Venezuela. The other geopolitical headline today: the future of Greenland. While the State Department and President Trump have issued slightly different statements on the prospect of acquiring the country from Denmark, questions about implications for NATO remain. Plus, after MSNow Senior Political and National reporter Jacob Soboroff covered the LA fires last year, he wrote “Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster.” He shares details of the devastation, the road to rebuilding LA, and his personal stake in the community that was impacted.  Eamon Javers - 2:55Brian Sullivan - 13:51Jacob Soboroff - 29:19 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @eamonjaversBrian Sullivan, @SullyCNBCJacob Soboroff, @jacobsoboroffBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe 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 Washington, Trump administration cabinet officials briefed lawmakers on the path forward in Venezuela. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the Republican and Democrat reactions to that meeting. Investor Daniel Osorio discusses the power and the oil at play in the region, including the opportunities for American oil companies and the likelihood of a large U.S. military presence in Venezuela. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, new Special Envoy to Greenland, discusses President Trump’s approach to the Monroe Doctrine and modern geopolitics, from Venezuela to Greenland. Happy birthday, Joe Kernen! Daniel Osorio - 4:04Emily Wilkins - 24:23Gov. Jeff Landry - 29:03 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsBecky 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.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are being held in New York on drug trafficking charges after U.S. forces captured both in Venezuela over the weekend. The lead prosecutor in the case, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, discusses his approach to the case and dates the effort back to 2011. In Washington, DC CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the weekend’s strikes in Venezuela, the subsequent press events from the administration, and the path forward. Then, Mark Lazarus, CEO of CNBC’s parent company Versant, discusses the company’s first trade as an independent company after successfully spinning off from Comcast. Jay Clayton - 17:36Mark Lazarus - 39:11In this episode:Eamon Javers, @eamonjaversBecky 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.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Chevron and Exxon are seeing shares rising after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Maduro, airlines are adding extra flights to ferry passengers stranded in the Caribbean since that military operation, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Anna Paulson says more interest rate cuts could be a ways off, Tesla under pressure after missing fourth quarter delivery expectations and the third “Avatar” film maintains box office dominance. 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 2025 ended on a high note for the major averages, Mike Santoli flags the market indicators he’ll be watching in January 2026. The first day of the new year also brings a new mayor for New York City and a new boss for Berkshire Hathaway. After 60 years, Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as CEO, handing the reins to successor Greg Abel. The national wealth tax debate is playing out in California, where billionaires are threatening to leave the state over proposed legislation. Former U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) discuss the suggested policy and its implications. Plus, healthy resolution-makers have more nonalcoholic drink choices than ever. CEO and co-founder of Athletic Brewing Bill Shufelt discusses his brand’s 12 styles of NA beers, mocktails, and increased market share.  Heidi Heitkamp & Pat Toomey - 24:32Bill Shufelt  - 41:04 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickRobert Frank, @robtfrankMichael 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.

2026 celebrations begin in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands! Stateside, it’s the last day of headlines in 2025: Warner Brothers Discovery  may reject Paramount’s latest bid for its spinoff assets, Warren Buffett is serving his last day as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, and Courtney Reagan and former Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon discuss the year’s winners and losers in retail as the holiday season winds down. Plus, Khan Academy CEO and founder Sal Khan warns of a looming jobs apocalypse, driven by AI automation. Happy New Year! Sal Khan - 19:51Courtney Reagan - 31:15Bill Simon - 34:49 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCourtney Reagan, @CourtReaganKatie 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.

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.