5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 2/20/2026

OpenAI has closed a staggering $110 billion funding round, more than doubling its record-setting raise from just a year ago. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joins alongside Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to discuss the massive new capital infusion, the details behind OpenAI and Amazon’s $50 billion strategic partnership, and what comes next for agentic AI. Then, IBM vice chairman and former Trump NEC director Gary Cohn reacts to news that Block is cutting 40% of its workforce, citing AI efficiencies. Cohn discusses what those cuts signal about the future of work, the broader economy, and the market’s AI-fueled momentum. Plus, Paramount Skydance moves closer to a deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, and President Trump meets with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.   Gary Cohn                       18:23 Sam Altman & Andy Jassy          32:55   In this episode: Gary Cohn, @Gary_D_Cohn Sam Altman, @sama Andy Jassy, @ajassy Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Zach Vallese, @ZachVallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After reporting a strong quarter, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks to Becky Quick about his company’s future and the future of the AI landscape–including the ongoing standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the agency’s push for reforms and expedited drug approvals, particularly for rare disease therapies. Plus, Beast Games Season 2 finale is out on Amazon Prime, and season three is already in preproduction. Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold discusses his ambitions of building another Disney while producing the most-followed person on the internet, Mr. Beast.    Dr. Marty Makary - 17:16 Jeff Housenbold - 33:30   In this episode: Dr. Marty Makary, @DrMakaryFDA Jeff Housenbold, @jtbold Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew 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.

After the President’s State of the Union address, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) discusses his party’s response to the lengthy speech and underscores the affordability crisis facing many Americans. CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps the evening’s highlights, including moments of partisan- and bipartisanship. Then, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz discusses the administration’s push to lower drug prices. Plus, Anthropic has changed its safety policy.  Rep. Josh Gottheimer - 21:28 Dr. Mehmet Oz - 29:44 In this episode: Josh Gottheimer, @RepJoshG Dr. Mehmet Oz, @DrOz Eamon Javers, @eamonjavers Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of the President’s State of the Union address tonight, Joe Kernen sits down with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. First, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discusses the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and his outlook for geopolitical shifts in the rest of President Trump’s term. Then, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) discusses tariff confusion and the latest development in Netflix’s and Paramount Skydance’s competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery.    Sen. Ted Cruz - 10:48 Sen. Maria Cantwell - 24:16   In this episode: Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruz Maria Cantwell, @SenatorCantwell Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As a major blizzard blankets much of the East Coast, the bigger storm is in Washington. After the Supreme Court of the United States struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy, the President responded with a new 15% tariff on all imports, putting U.S. trade deals and the broader global order in question. CNBC’s Steve Liesman explains the ruling and what comes next. Yale Law School professor and former Biden Treasury official Natasha Sarin debates former Trump economic advisor Stephen Moore on the economic impact and outlook of more tariffs. Then, Washington State Senator Jamie Pedersen discusses his proposal to raise the income tax on millionaires and its likelihood to encourage executives to leave the state. Plus, President Trump urges Netflix to remove board member and former Biden policy chief Susan Rice.   Steve Liesman - 19:04 Stephen Moore and Natasha Sarin - 32:57 Jamie Pedersen - 46:23   In this episode: Natasha Sarin, @NatashaRSarin Stephen Moore, @StephenMoore Steve Liesman, @SteveLiesman Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. Customs will stop collecting IEEPA tariffs on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court deemed them illegal, TSA Pre-Check is once again operational, despite the partial government shutdown, Axios reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will meet with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss the military’s use of Claude AI, Goldman Sachs has raised its end-of-year oil forecast, and “One Battle After Another” won BAFTA’s best film award.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Supreme Court has struck down the President’s tariffs, President Trump is considering a limited military attack against Iran, private credit stocks are sliding, and filmmaker James Cameron is speaking out against Netflix’s bid for Warner Brothers Discovery. Plus, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is now a strategic advisor for the American Gaming Association, and he’s calling out the “prediction market” status of Kalshi and Polymarket. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discusses the state tax policies around the country that are driving businesses and billionaires to his own state.    Chris Christie - 18:19    Gov. Ron DeSantis - 35:00   In this episode: Chris Christie, @GovChristie Ron DeSantis, @GovRonDeSantis Eamon Javers, @eamonjavers Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump says he’ll decide whether to attack Iran in the next 10 days, Johnson & Johnson is reportedly considering selling its orthopedics unit, Amazon’s AI tools sparked two outages at the company’s cloud unit, according to the FT, Live Nation reported strong live concert demand, and President Trump will direct the release of files on “extraterrestrial life.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OpenAI is nearing a $100B+ fundraise, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg testified at a landmark social media addiction trial in California, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Legendary media investor Mario Gabelli discusses the Netflix-Paramount battle for Warner Brothers Discovery’s film and media assets. Plus, as an MSG shareholder, Gabelli weighs in on MSG’s exploration of splitting the Knicks and the Rangers. Two-time Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz shares his perspective on President Trump’s economic agenda, including the impact of tariffs on inflation and consumer sentiment. Happy Birthday, Andrew! Mario Gabelli - 12:40 Joseph Stiglitz - 27:01 In this episode: Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amazon stock has snapped a nine day losing streak, oil prices have responded to U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, and “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert is calling out CBS for allegedly blocking the broadcast of his interview with Texas state Rep. James Talarico. The FDA is looking into the safety and supply of baby formula in America with Operation Stork Speed. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains the way formula manufacturing and safety protocols work in the U.S., including why reformulation is often a complicated, expensive process. Dr. Gottlieb also weighs in on the impact that Vinay Prasad’s leadership is having on investment in health, both for vaccine research and for cell and gene therapies. Plus, NYC Mayor Mamdani has proposed a property tax hike if Governor Hochul does not pass a wealth tax in the state. Partnership for NYC CEO Steven Fulop discusses the proposal and the impact it may have on business leaders based in New York.  Steven Fulop       23:29Dr. Scott Gottlieb  33:50 In this episode:Steven Fulop, @StevenFulopJoe 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.