Squawk Pod

Steve Liesman, a Senior economics reporter at CNBC, reveals the top Christmas movies according to the All-America Economic Survey, with 'Home Alone' stealing the spotlight. Rich Kleiman, co-founder of Boardroom and sports agent for Kevin Durant, shares insights on the thrilling NBA Christmas Day matchups, highlighting a young talent surge in the league. They also discuss the intersection of holiday traditions with sports as NORAD's General Guillot explains how Santa is tracked globally, revealing the tech behind this beloved tradition.

The stock market opens with metals soaring, as gold and silver reach astonishing record closes. Waymo is refreshing its driverless fleet after a hiccup during a blackout in San Francisco. Exciting news also comes from Motive, as it files for an IPO. Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot skyrockets to an eye-watering $1.7 billion, leading to lively discussions about lottery etiquette and legalities. The hosts share laughs about the dreams and realities of winning big, making for an entertaining take on both finance and fortune.

Steve Kovach, a Technology reporter for CNBC, lays out trends in AI, emphasizing commoditization and the consolidation of industry leaders like OpenAI and Google. Chris Kelly, former Facebook chief privacy officer, discusses the increasing efficiency and competition for AI talent. Investor Anthony Pompliano dives into Coinbase's recent acquisition of a prediction markets platform and examines Bitcoin's performance and the role of crypto in financial strategies. The conversation provides a captivating look into the future of tech and finance.

Gerry Cardinale, founder of RedBird Capital Partners and key investor in Paramount's bid for Warner Bros., discusses the details of an amended $30 billion offer amidst competitive pressure from Netflix. He highlights the importance of direct shareholder engagement and addresses regulatory concerns. Meanwhile, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner, raises alarms about the implications of adopting a Danish-style vaccine schedule in the U.S., emphasizing potential risks to children's health and the ongoing debate on drug pricing reforms.

Waymo is back in action in San Francisco after a blackout disrupted its service. In the finance world, an $8.4 billion deal sees Clearwater Analytics going private. Meanwhile, Avatar 3 has disappointed at the box office, raking in only $88 million. On a thrilling note, tonight's Powerball jackpot is almost hitting $1.6 billion. Lastly, SoftBank is close to securing over $22 billion in funding for OpenAI before the year's end.

Kevin Mayer, former CEO of TikTok and media executive, shares insights on the new U.S. joint venture involving Oracle and Silver Lake, emphasizing its importance for data safety. Eunice Yoon, CNBC's Beijing bureau chief, discusses China's regulatory nuances and state media's supportive signals regarding the deal. Ray Isle, the executive wine editor at Food & Wine, offers holiday wine recommendations while addressing the impact of tariffs and a shift towards nonalcoholic options, exploring the cyclical nature of the wine market.

Japan's central bank has made a bold move by raising short-term interest rates to their highest in decades. In a significant financial milestone, data center deals have surged, hitting a record $61 billion this year. EU leaders are stepping up with a substantial $100 billion loan to support Ukraine's defense efforts. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are preparing to vote on banning individual stock trading for themselves. Lastly, there’s buzzing news regarding the potential approval for Nvidia to sell its powerful chips to China.

This discussion features Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader from New York, who dives into health care policy and efforts to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Steve Schwarzman, Chairman and CEO of Blackstone, shares insights on the firm's 40th anniversary, discussing the rise of AI and its impact on data centers, and the resilience of private credit. He also critiques Fed policies and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stable U.S.-China relationship while remaining optimistic about AI-driven economic growth.

Rich Greenfield, a media industry analyst and founder of LightShed Partners, discusses the fierce competition in the media landscape as Warner Bros. Discovery's board pushes shareholders to reject Paramount's bid in favor of Netflix. Joining him is Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters, who details why the acquisition enhances growth and the brand's value, while asserting regulatory strategies. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Medline IPO and its potential impacts, making for a riveting analysis of a rapidly changing entertainment sector.

Amazon is exploring a massive investment in OpenAI, while Waymo looks to raise $15 billion at a high valuation. Spirit Airlines may combine with Frontier again as they navigate bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the Trump administration plans an executive order aimed at speeding up defense production by limiting buybacks. In the housing market, Lennar's financial struggles highlight concerns about affordability and consumer confidence.