Betting on the Election & Elon Musk’s Tech Gamble 10/04/24

The commodities exchange KalshiEx has resumed accepting wagers on the outcome of the 2024 congressional election after a federal appeals court lifted a previous hold. Tarek Mansour, founder and CEO of Kalshi, discusses the potential impact to the current state of the election betting market. And, OpenAI announced a major funding achievement, securing $6.6 billion and reaching a post-money valuation of $157 billion, setting a competitive stage against Elon Musk's AI company, xAI. Walter Isaacson, author and Tulane professor, weighs in on the AI technology race between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Plus, CNBC’s Frank Holland breaks down the significant labor negotiation concluded with U.S. dockworkers and the United States Maritime Alliance reaching a tentative wage agreement, extending their current contract into 2025. Tarek Mansour - 15:59Walter Issacson - 27:29 In this episode:Frank Holland, @FrankCNBCWalter Isaacson, @walterisaacsonTarek Mansour, @mansourtarek_Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

As dock workers enter their third day of strikes, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia, member of the Commerce Committee, says Pres. Biden should invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to end the strikes. Plus, CNBC’s Sharon Epperson discusses a new poll that finds that 50% of adults say the outcome of the presidential election will directly impact their personal finances. Financial analysts tell Epperson that people should have a financial planning framework no matter the election outcome. If you're looking for an advisor to help develop a framework and long-term plan, check out CNBC's 6th annual Financial Advisor 100 list, recognizing the top firms in the country. Also, Columbia Business School Professor Michel Morris discusses  his new book “Tribal,” which tackles why we are so divided and how tribalism impacts politics, the C-suite, college campuses, and more. Sharon Epperson - 12:43Sen. Capito - 16:51Michael Morris - 25:09 In this episode:Sharon Epperson, @sharon_eppersonSen. Shelley Moore Capito, @SenCapitoMichael Morris, @MichaelMorrisCUBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie

Iran launched nearly 200 missiles into Israel yesterday in retaliation for its recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Retired Col. and Medal of Honor Recipient Jack Jacobs discusses how Israel will respond, Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and how oil could be impacted. The Squawk Box anchors share their takeaways from the 2024 election’s only vice presidential debate last night between Sen. J.D. Vance and Gov. Tim Walz. Plus, Fmr. SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and Fmr. NEC Director Gary Cohn talk about the port workers’ strike and the debate, saying the VP candidates delivered “substance” on the issues. Col. Jack Jacobs - 04:22Gary Cohn and Jay Clayton - 26:49 In this episode:Gary Cohn, @Gary_D_CohnBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie

Approximately 50,000 East and Gulf Coast port workers began a strike last night. Investor and Boston Celtics owner Glenn Hutchins discusses his perspective on the strength of the economy and the possibility of a soft landing for the Fed. Next, Steve MacMillan, CEO of diagnostic maker Hologic, talks about breast cancer awareness and how his company is using AI to help detect cancer. Plus, the death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached 130 people and legendary baseball player Pete Rose has died at age 83. Glenn Hutchins - 12:18Steve Macmillan - 27:19 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

China stocks saw their best rally in 16 years on Monday, with U.S. ETFs following suit as recent economic stimulus measures boosted investor optimism. Meanwhile, CNBC’s Contessa Brewer outlines the devastation in Western North Carolina after floods from Hurricane Helene left entire communities submerged. Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, has reported at least 35 deaths. Asheville’s mayor, Esther Manheimer, addresses the extent of the damage and shared ways the public can assist in recovery efforts. Then, Craig Fugate, the former FEMA administrator, discusses the ongoing recovery process and how people can help. And Tusk Ventures CEO Bradley Tusk, author of ‘Vote With Your Phone,’ delves into the idea of mobile voting, outlining the process of making voting easier and safer. Plus, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a controversial AI safety bill on Sunday, citing concerns raised by the tech industry that it could push AI companies out of the state and stifle innovation. Contessa Brewer - 14:37Esther Manheimer - 19:10           Craig Fugate - 25:21Bradley Tusk - 31:17 Contessa Brewer, @contessabrewerBradley Tusk, @TuskVenturesEsther Manheimer, @EstherManheimerCraig Fugate, @WCraigFugateBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

As the U.N. General Assembly wraps up, NBC’s Keir Simmons discusses Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech, protests related to the war in Israel, and the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin to share his pitch to the global business community and discuss his meeting with former President Trump while in New York. Also on Squawk Pod, Japan will have a new prime minister, Chinese markets recorded their best week in almost 16 years, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tells staff he won’t receive a “giant equity stake” in the company. Keir Simmons - 14:50Keir Starmer - 23:07 In this episode:Keir Simmons, @KeirSimmonsPM Keir Starmer, @Keir_StarmerBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Investor Mark Cuban has suggested he would take SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s job, should VP Kamala Harris win the election. Both Cuban and Gensler join the show today, along with billionaire investor David Tepper, to talk about market regulation, crypto, and the presidential election. First, Gensler discusses crypto regulation and Elon Musk dodging SEC depositions. Then legendary hedge funder David Tepper, founder and president of Appaloosa Management and owner of the Carolina Panthers, shares his latest portfolio moves--including selling 84% of his stake in Nvidia and increasing his bets on China. Plus, after Vice President Harris’ first network interview of the campaign, Mark Cuban talks about why he supports the Vice President’s economic policies over Former President Trump’s. Gary Gensler - 03:18David Tepper - 27:17Mark Cuban - 58:48 In this episode: Gary Gensler, @GaryGenslerMark Cuban, @mcubanBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The Department of Justice is suing Visa, Boeing workers on strike have overwhelmingly opposed the company’s latest offer, and a federal judge has ruled in favor of food delivery companies like DoorDash. Billionaire investor Leon Cooperman is betting on equities. The legendary Wall Street veteran weighs in on the markets and the upcoming election, arguing both candidates’ economic plans are disappointing. Plus, as world leaders gather at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, former congressman and current head of defense at Palantir Mike Gallagher discusses President Biden’s address and Iran’s role in the  Israel-Hamas war. Leon Cooperman - 16:24Mike Gallagher - 26:57 In this episode:Mike Gallagher, @RepGallagherBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie

Former President Trump threatened a 200% tariff on John Deere on Monday if the company offshores production to Mexico. John Paulson, billionaire investor and adviser to Trump’s presidential campaign, defends the tariff plan, arguing it would create an “American manufacturing powerhouse.” Paulson also responds to concerns about Donald Trump’s character and offers his market outlook, should the former President win a second term. Plus, China will cut the amount of cash banks need to have on hand by 50 basis points, Boeing gives its “best and final offer” to workers on strike, and Meta’s AI chatbot might have a familiar voice.  John Paulson - 15:44 In this episode:John Paulson, @JpaulsonCEOBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

In the wake of the Federal Reserve’s 50 basis point rate cut last week, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari discusses whether this is “mission accomplished” on inflation and what kind of rate cuts are still coming. He also shares why one FOMC voter cast an historic dissention vote. Next, Andy Dunn, known for co-founding Bonobos, says making friends should be “as easy as calling an Uber.” He has launched a new app called Pie to help people meet new friends in real life through frequent hangouts. Plus, Speaker Johnson has offered a proposal to avoid a government shutdown, FTC Commissioner Lina Khan was on 60 Minutes, and Qualcomm is thinking of buying Intel, which would be the largest tech merger ever.  Steve Kovach - 08:51Neel Kashkari - 17:14Andy Dunn - 29:18 In this episode:Neel Kashkari, @neelkashkariAndy Dunn, @dunnBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY