Squawk Pod

Ron Baron, a seasoned investor and chairman of Baron Capital, shares his insights on Elon Musk’s ambitious trillion-dollar pay plan for Tesla. He discusses the future of Tesla and SpaceX, emphasizing the potential of innovations like Optimus robots and Full Self-Driving technology. Baron also details his substantial profits from Musk’s ventures and outlines his long-term investment philosophy amid market fluctuations. He reveals his reasons for supporting Musk's pay package, citing Musk's transformative vision and legacy.

TSA officers are getting $10,000 bonuses after working without pay during a lengthy shutdown, highlighting their commitment. Boeing defense workers are back on the job after ratifying a contract with a 24% pay raise, ending a strike. On the flip side, Verizon plans to lay off 15,000 employees due to stiff competition. SoftBank's recent sell-off of its entire Nvidia stake is causing its shares to plummet. Meanwhile, Blue Origin is making strides with its New Glenn rocket, successfully launching towards Mars.

Hugh Johnston, CFO of The Walt Disney Company, shares insights on Disney's latest earnings, navigating a tough streaming landscape, and the impact of YouTube TV negotiations. He discusses the company's strong parks performance and the strategic advantages of its IP-driven ecosystem. Mark Bertolini, CEO of Oscar Health, dives into the rising insurance premiums and challenges of the Affordable Care Act. He proposes innovative solutions like qualified accounts to empower consumers and tackle inefficiencies in the healthcare system.

President Trump ends the longest government shutdown with a new funding bill. Missing economic data from this period may remain unreleased, posing challenges for analysis. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case regarding the President’s authority to fire a Federal Reserve Governor. In tech news, Alibaba is shifting its AI apps to mimic ChatGPT. Lastly, the U.S. Mint produces its final penny, marking the end of a 230-year legacy. Join the hosts for intriguing discussions and personal anecdotes about money!

Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, shares insights on the company's bold AI strategy and ambitious $100 billion data center chip target. She addresses the competitive landscape, discusses partnerships with OpenAI, and outlines the importance of U.S. manufacturing. Shaun White, three-time Olympic gold medalist, talks about launching The Snow League to provide consistent competition and better pay for athletes. He emphasizes storytelling to engage fans and the league's vision for global expansion, ensuring equality in athlete compensation.

Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook and co-chair of the Economic Security Project, critiques the Trump administration's approach to industrial policy, highlighting the need for a clearer strategy. Meanwhile, Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner, discusses the groundbreaking removal of black box warnings for hormone replacement therapy, emphasizing its benefits for women’s health, including reduced heart disease risk. He also addresses the historical context of hormone therapy and the importance of informed decision-making for women.

Real estate developer Don Peebles, a former Obama fundraiser, criticizes the Democratic Party's leftward shift and discusses the influx of New Yorkers to Florida. He warns about the financial impact of wealthy migrations on New York. Meanwhile, travel expert Brian Kelly shares crucial tips for navigating the current chaos in air travel, including using apps for real-time updates and booking backup flights with points. He highlights the ongoing disruptions and urges travelers to pack flexibility and snacks.

Pfizer impressively wins a bidding war for obesity drug developer Metsera, raising questions about future antitrust issues. FedEx and UPS are grounding their MD-11 cargo planes after a tragic crash at a Kentucky hub, highlighting safety concerns in the aviation industry. Meanwhile, major changes occur at the BBC as its head of news resigns amid controversies over edited Trump footage. Insights into how Visa and Mastercard may soon settle on interchange fees also point to shifts in shopping rewards programs.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former heart surgeon and health policy expert, dives into the White House's recent deals to lower GLP-1 obesity drug prices, highlighting the significant savings for Americans. He explains the disparities in drug pricing and the administration’s strategies to align U.S. costs with global standards. Oz also addresses the balance between pharma innovation and affordability. Additionally, Musk biographer Walter Isaacson discusses Tesla’s unprecedented $1 trillion pay package, evaluating Musk's history of exceeding expectations.

Fans of Grand Theft Auto will have to hold their horses as the release of the sixth version is delayed once again. In other news, Airbnb's stocks are soaring after positive guidance, while fintech firm Affirm is riding high, contrasting with Block's ongoing earnings woes. Meanwhile, Ford's electric F-150 faces uncertainty as the company contemplates discontinuing it amidst changing EV incentives. The market is buzzing with activity!