WNBA Salaries, Amazon’s ‘Big River,’ & Russia’s Interference 04/18/24

Paramount Global is replacing CEO Bob Bakish with three executives in the Office of the CEO. Puck founding partner Matthew Belloni explains the uncertain future for the media company, as well as the possible outcomes for shareholders. Actor Edward Norton has spent enough time in board meetings to know that it’s time to bring corporate governance decisions into 2024. He says his new tech company Zeck is his hope for streamlined board meetings. CNBC’s Steve Liesman says the latest Fed survey respondents are pushing their rate cut forecasts further out. On college campuses, tensions are escalating; Columbia protesters stormed and occupied a university building. Trump Media stock has been on a roller coaster, and NBCUniversal is reportedly preparing a bid for NBA rights. Plus, CNBC is your ticket to this Saturday’s Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting with Warren Buffett. If you’re a shareholder and have a question for the Oracle of Omaha or his board, submit it to [email protected]. Our own Becky Quick will select a few of those submissions to ask during the meeting.  Steve Liesman - 04:47Matt Belloni - 12:44Edward Norton - 18:09 In this episode:Edward Norton, @EdwardNortonMatthew Belloni, @mattbelloniJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Elon Musk took a brief surprise meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, securing tentative approval for self-driving Teslas in China. America’s college campuses are divided over the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. involvement in it; former SEC Chairman and Ivy League educator Jay Clayton discusses the sentiment among activists and young people across the country. Retired real estate developer Bruce Ratner issues a warning for his industry. The man behind the redeveloped Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn is also on the board of Memorial Sloan Kettering, and he’s pushing for early cancer detection in his new book. Plus, regulators seized Republic First Bank in the first bank failure of 2024, and journalists are catching up on the jokes from this weekend’s White House correspondents’ dinner.   Jay Clayton - 12:23Bruce Ratner - 23:19 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Former President Donald Trump's political allies are crafting a plan to increase his influence over the Federal Reserve, potentially even making him an "acting" member of the central bank’s board, according to The Wall Street Journal. Nick Timiraos, the Journal's Chief Economics Correspondent, discusses the implications if Trump wins in November. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb weighs in on Moderna's partnership with OpenAI, the AI drug revolution, his own AI venture, and updates on the bird flu presence in America’s pasteurized milk. Plus, CNBC's Steve Kovach breaks down Alphabet and Microsoft earnings and explores the future of AI investment for the megacap tech companies. Nick Timiraos - 10:08Steve Kovach - 17:22Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 22:12.In this episode:Nick Timiraos, @NickTimiraosScott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

The Federal Trade Commission voted for a nationwide ban against noncompete agreements, which companies use to prevent employees from taking jobs with competitors in the same industry. FTC Chair Lina Khan addresses the agency's decision for the ban, as well as the potential impacts on businesses and workers. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican colleagues faced opposition when they appeared at Columbia University amid ongoing protests against Israel's conflict with Hamas. Robert Kraft, New England Patriots owner and founder of the Kraft Group and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, discusses the recent protests at Columbia University and other campuses and the concerning rise of antisemitism and his efforts to combat it. Plus, the Biden administration introduces new rules for airlines, mandating automatic cash refunds and prohibiting surprise fees. Lina Khan - 04:05Robert Kraft - 24:14 In this episode:Lina Khan, @linakhanftcJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Google has fired 50 employees over sit-in protests at the office. Yale Lecturer Joanne Lipman and The Verge’s Alex Heath discuss activism in the office, and tech’s inflection point with its employees. Jason Furman, a Democrat economist, is making his case against President Biden’s student debt relief plan, arguing that it will make inflation worse. CNBC’s Steve Liesman is breaking down U.S. productivity data and what it means for the Federal Reserve. Plus, the Federal Trade Commission has voted to ban non-competes for employee contracts, Jamie Dimon is speaking out with his concerns for the economy, and Meta’s AI glasses are getting an update.  Joanne Lipman & Alex Heath - 19:35Steve Liesman - 27:14Jason Furman - 30:28 In this episode:Joanne Lipman, @joannelipmanAlex Heath, @alexeheathSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJason Furman, @jasonfurmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Elite university campuses are fraught with tension as students clash with each other and college administrations over the Israel-Hamas War. Over 100 students have been arrested from pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Yale, NYU, and Columbia campuses, videos of brazen antisemitism have gone viral, and one Rabbi in Columbia’s community encouraged Jewish students to go home for their own safety. NYC Rabbi David Ingber explains the escalations and safety concerns, while donor and Columbia Business School alumnus Leon Cooperman discusses the responsibilities of higher education institutions. Plus, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz maps out the Federal Reserve’s road ahead, and Elon Musk is at odds with Australia’s Prime Minister over posts on X.  Rabbi David Ingber - 12:11Leon Cooperman - 22:44Joseph Stiglitz - 26:26 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

At Columbia in New York, protests and antisemitism on campus have prompted a day of remote learning for student safety, as well as commentary from Mayor Eric Adams. In DC, the House has passed a series of bills securing aid funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as the divest-or-ban TikTok bill. CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the legislation and its impact on Speaker Mike Johnson’s career. In the thick of Wall Street’s earnings season, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg discusses his company’s latest financial results and inflation’s pressures on consumers. Plus, pollster Frank Luntz is taking stock of Gen Z’s opinions on capitalism and democracy. He urges corporate America to pay attention to their grievances.  Emily Wilkins - 03:16Frank Luntz - 09:55Hans Vestberg - 19:42 In this episode:Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

After Israel’s retaliatory strike at Iran, NBC’s Raf Sanchez is on the ground in Tel Aviv, reporting that both countries are downplaying an escalation. Stateside, CNBC’s Emily Wilkins discusses the TikTok divest-or-ban bill’s road through Congress, including its vote this weekend. Former White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra explains the national security threats and TikTok’s road ahead. Plus, Meta has launched its newest AI tool, former President Trump’s criminal trial jury has been selected, and HGTV’s Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott discuss the housing market, maximizing value, and flipping for profit.  Raf Sanchez - 02:49Emily Wilkins - 13:32Aneesh Chopra - 16:43Drew & Jonathan Scott - 23:53 In this episode:Raf Sanchez, @rafsanchezEmily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Caitlin Clark will make under $77,000 a year as the WNBA’s top pick, while her counterpart in the NBA will make $10.5m. CNBC’s Jon Fortt explains the gender gap in sports salaries and in revenues. Microsoft has found that Russia’s election interference is already underway; the company’s former cyber policy head and current chief public policy officer at SentinelOne Chris Krebs says it’s a group effort, to keep global votes safe from bad actors. Plus, Google employees were laid off after protesting, President Biden is reimposing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, and The Wall Street Journal uncovered Amazon’s secret operation to gather intel on competitors like Walmart: Big River. Plus, Squawk Pod is nominated for a Webby Award! It’s your last day to vote for us, so don’t forget to show your support here. If you haven’t heard our nominated episode, check out our special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Steve Kovach - 12:54Chris Krebs - 17:55 In this episode:Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinJon Fortt, @jonforttMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Months after a Delaware judge voided Elon Musk’s pay package from Tesla, Tesla is asking shareholders to vote again on Musk’s $56B compensation deal. In a proxy statement, the company is also asking shareholders to approve moving Tesla’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas. Tulane Law professor Ann Lipton parses the proxy and the legal precedent for this shareholder vote. President Biden is hoping to triple the China tariff rate on steel and aluminum imports, and Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is signaling a longer wait for rate cuts. Plus, the 2024 Paris Olympics are 100 days away! Olympians Maggie Steffens, the Team USA Women’s Water Polo Captain, her teammate Ashleigh Johnson, and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Paralympian Courtney Ryan say their training is just as intense as ever. And don’t forget to show your support for Squawk Pod! We’re up for a Webby Award, but we can’t win without your votes. Vote for Squawk Pod here, and check out our nominated special series, "Charlie Munger: A Life of Wit and Wisdom," featuring our final interview with the Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chair. Ann Lipton 15:08Ashleigh Johnson, Courtney Ryan, Maggie Steffens - 26:12 In this episode:Ashleigh Johnson, @theAshJohnsonMaggie Steffens, @maggiesteffensMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie