Paramount’s Path, Space Walk Evolution, & Zuckerberg’s Letter 08/27/24

After an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life, CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the latest details, the suspect, and the possible impact on the Presidential race. If Trump wins a second term, the campaign has tapped Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick as Co-Chair of the transition team; Lutnick makes his case for Trumponomics 2.0. Today TikTok is in court, fighting to remain operational in the US. Entrepreneur Frank McCourt says he’s ready to buy TikTok, but not out of love for the platform. Plus, Apple shares slid after reports of lackluster demand for the iPhone 16, and SpaceX successfully completed the first civilian space walk.  Eamon Javers - 02:58Howard Lutnick - 14:30Frank McCourt - 31:09 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @eamonjaversBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Over 30,000 Boeing employees are on strike after the workers union rejected its negotiated contract. After “China week” on Capitol Hill, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) discusses the 2 dozen China-focused bills lifted in Congress, and argues that the CCP would prefer the uncertainty and division of a second Donald Trump presidency. Companies including Tractor Supply, Molson Coors, John Deere, Lowe’s, and Ford have announced they’re rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies at their respective companies. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson calls the decisions shortsighted for employees and customers, and says, at least $1.4T of LGBTQ+ spending power is at stake. Plus, tech CEOs like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang went to the White House this week. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi - 14:34Kelley Robinson - 21:47 In this episode:Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, @CongressmanRajaKelley Robinson, @HRC_PresidentBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Senator and Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance discusses former President Donald Trump’s plans for the economy, the impact of tariffs, and the urgency of immigration policy in an extended conversation. Days after the Presidential debate, Sen. Vance explains how he plans to prepare–sort of–for his own debate against Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz. Best-selling author of “Moneyball” and “The Blind Side” Michael Lewis reacts to that discussion and shares takeaways from his new book on the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, “Going Infinite.” Plus, Moderna plans to launch new vaccines amid cost cutting, young bankers are putting in very long hours, and OpenAI is now eyeing an even higher valuation: over $150B. JD Vance - 14:34Michael Lewis - 42:31 In this episode:Sen. JD Vance, @JDVanceBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

CNBC’s Eamon Javers and pollster Frank Luntz help digest the fireworks of the Presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, including the big Taylor Swift endorsement that came after. On Wall Street, investors were unsurprised by the Labor Department’s August Consumer Price Index. Neuberger Berman’s Steve Eisman discusses the likelihood of a 25 basis point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week. And, 23 years later, Americans come together to remember those lost in the September 11th terrorist attacks.  Eamon Javers - 4:31Frank Luntz - 15:35Steve Eisman - 27:23 In this episode:Eamon Javers, @eamonjaversBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

China tariffs and tax reform are key topics in the 2024 election–and in the first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton and Hayman Capital Management Founder & CIO Kyle Bass discuss America’s shifting trade politics, the case for tariffs, and which tax changes they’d like to see from the White House. Horror filmmaker Jason Blum is out with his latest fright flick this Friday. Blumhouse Productions, which brought audiences “Get Out” and “Paranormal Activity” presents a parenthood-inspired scary movie for the start of spooky season: “Speak No Evil.” Plus, Apple unveiled new iPhone AI features and a new Apple Watch at its launch event, and SpaceX will attempt the first civilian space walk in history.  Jay Clayton & Kyle Bass - 16:33Jason Blum - 29:45 In this episode:Jason Blum, @jason_blumKyle Bass, @JkylebassBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both agree on tax free tips for service workers. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) shares his take on tax reform, including the tip economy. Bestselling author of “Sapiens” Yuval Noah Harari is out with a new book; Harari explains how we should be thinking about–and controlling–AI in “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI.” Plus, the star studded cast of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” jolted the box office opening weekend, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has weighed in on the capital gains tax debate, and the markets are awaiting more economic data this week. Sen. Ted Cruz - 14:25Yuval Noah Harari - 30:08 In this episode:Sen. Ted Cruz, @tedcruzYuval Noah Harari, @harari_yuvalBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The most decorated American woman in Olympic history, Katie Ledecky has written a memoir, “Just Add Water.” In a special interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Ledecky shares details about her swimming life–including both leisurely and competitive moments in the pool. She explains what she thinks about, while swimming 1500 meters, and how she’ll prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games. Plus, CNBC’s Megan Cassella reports on the CEOs backing former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, but venture capitalist Ben Narasin is unhappy with both candidates running for President this year. The startup investor explains why he votes as an Independent every election. Berkshire Hathaway is selling Bank of America shares (again), Red Lobster’s hoping for a turnaround, and the August jobs report did very little to clarify the Fed’s path forward.   Megan Cassella - 11:21Ben Narasin - 12:59Katie Ledecky - 23:04 In this episode:Ben Narasin, @BNarasinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie 

Investor and entrepreneur Mark Cuban discusses VP Kamala Harris’ new tax proposal: a 28% capital gains tax. Based on his conversations with the Harris campaign, Cuban explains his faith in her policy’s benefit for entrepreneurs and investors. Nvidia is denying reports that it had received a subpoena from the Department of Justice, Verizon is buying Frontier Communications in a $20B deal, and the White House is reportedly aiming to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of U.S. Steel. Plus, the co-founder of Airbnb Joe Gebbia has founded a new housing company with former CEO of Flex, Mike McNamara. The two share how their “Accessory Dwelling Units” are addressing the housing crisis in California, and how the small installable homes are offering more space and income for owners.  Robert Frank - 11:41Mark Cuban - 17:41Joe Gebbia & Mike McNamara - 39:17   In this episode:Mark Cuban, @mcubanRobert Frank, @robtfrankBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The Department of Justice has issued a subpoena to Nvidia over antitrust practices; shares of the chipmaking giant fell 9% in the session, losing more than any company ever has in a single trading day: $279 billion. Democrat and Harris Campaign surrogate Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) discusses ideas to reform the U.S. tax code, including taxing loans related to unrealized gains. Rep. Khanna’s district includes Silicon Valley, its trillions of value to the American economy, and their many wealthy leaders. Elon Musk’s fight with Brazil continues, as does the contractual dispute between DirecTV and Disney, keeping many customers in the dark. Plus, the U.S. Open is underway in New York. Tennis coach for Coco Gauff Brad Gilbert steps off the court to cheer the many Americans in this year’s tournament–and to discuss the ever-rising costs of the iconic Honey Deuce cocktail.  Rep. Ro Khanna - 14:08Brad Gilbert - 27:18 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Over the weekend, Hamas killed 6 hostages in Rafah, heightening the pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu and escalating the Middle East conflict. “The Genius of Israel” author Dan Senor explains the politics inside and outside of Israel in the aftermath of the murders. L’Attitude founder Sol Trujillo once advised Presidents Bush & Clinton on trade issues; he’s now advocating for a better system at the U.S. border. A registered Republican, Trujillo argues that America needs workers, and a smarter, more efficient border will help immigrants and the U.S. economy. Plus, hotel workers are on strike, Elon Musk is still fighting with Brazil, and DirecTV customers are without Disney channels like ESPN and ABC after a contract dispute.  Dan Senor 14:48Sol Trujillo 25:26 In this episode:Dan Senor, @dansenorAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY