Squawk Pod

Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman at IBM and former Director of the National Economic Council, shares his insights on U.S. inflation and monetary policy. He advocates for a slight interest rate cut, discussing its potential impacts. The conversation also covers the evolving media landscape and the success of Acquired, which offers deep dives into major companies. Cohn emphasizes the importance of reshoring supply chains and highlights challenges posed by inflation and tariffs. His expertise bridges economic policy with future growth strategies.

Discover intriguing updates like the closure of federal investigations into Polymarket and the recent Senate vote on a $9 rescissions package. SpaceX's insider share sale and Tesla’s top North American sales executive leaving stir the pot in tech news. Meanwhile, baseball introduces an automated system for calling balls and strikes, raising questions about technology's role in sports officiating. The episode dives into the balance between AI and human judgment, especially after a notable error at Wimbledon.

Ken Langone, co-founder of Home Depot and a prominent philanthropist, shares his thoughts on local politics and the national economy, expressing faith in Andrew Cuomo. Ryan Cohen, CEO of GameStop and meme-stock mogul, discusses his unique auction featuring a stapler, reflecting on the absurdity of current market behaviors. The conversation also touches on the resurgence of AI chip sales and Starbucks' call for remote workers to return to the office. Both guests provide insights on the evolving business landscape and political dynamics in New York.

Kevin Hassett, former National Economic Council Director, dives into the impact of President Trump's proposed tariffs on Mexico and the EU, stirring up discussions on trade tensions and their economic repercussions. He also critiques the Federal Reserve’s independence amid growing frustrations from the White House. The conversation touches on the playfulness of corporate earnings, particularly Kraft Heinz, alongside a humorous exploration of quirky national days that lighten the serious topics of tariffs and inflation.

Discover key market insights just before the opening bell! Superman is dominating the box office, while online spending sees a massive boost from Amazon Prime Days. Nvidia's CEO is making waves in China, and exports from there are on the rise. Plus, JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon raises alarms about private credit dangers, even as he pushes for more investment in that sector. It's a blend of finance and pop culture that's both informative and entertaining!

Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shares insights on government spending and the Federal Reserve's monetary policies. Marty Makary, the new FDA Commissioner, discusses the challenges of restoring public trust in health agencies amid vaccine hesitancy and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The guests tackle the rising pressure on economic policies, including President Trump's tariffs on Canada and the audit of the Fed's strategic decisions. Their candid conversation highlights the intersection of healthcare and economics in shaping public perception and policy.

Discover the latest buzz in financial news as new tariffs on Canada are set to reshape trade dynamics. Follow Marco Rubio's international journey in Asia and what it means for diplomacy. Google's partnership to provide cloud services for the government raises eyebrows in tech circles. Exciting product launches are on the horizon for Apple, hinting at fresh innovation. Plus, Flutter's moves to acquire FanDuel highlight the evolving landscape of gaming and entertainment.

Senator Rand Paul, a vocal advocate for fiscal conservatism from Kentucky, shares his strong opposition to a hefty spending bill he believes will exacerbate the national debt. He proposes a spending 'leash' to promote accountability. Joining him is Greg Fleming, CEO of Rockefeller Capital, who analyzes the robust U.S. stock market performance and the implications of Trump's tariffs on Brazil. They also touch on corporate acquisitions and tech trends, underscoring the ongoing resilience of the American economy amid these complexities.

In another leadership change, Apple’s COO and presumed Tim Cook successor Jeff Williams has announced his retirement. CNBC’s Steve Kovach discusses Apple’s recent turnover and its strategy to rise to investor and innovator expectations in the AI race. Ripple has selected BNY to be custodian of its stablecoin; CEO Brad Garlinghouse explains his vision for crypto and institutional finance ahead of his testimony in crypto hearings on Capitol Hill. Plus, Philadelphia has ended the worker strike that left garbage pickup stalled, two Squawk Box guests (both named Kevin) may be vying for top spot at the Federal Reserve, and President Trump is threatening more tariffs on pharmaceutical companies.   Brad Garlinghouse - 13:41Steve Kovach - 21:29 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: SpaceX is preparing to sell insider shares, the China unit of Starbucks has attracted offers for a potential stake sale, valuing that business at up to $10 billion, Boeing completed delivery of the most planes since December 2023, the TSA has officially changed shoe policy at airports, and Philadelphia workers have reached a deal with the city, nearing an end to a labor strike that halted garbage collection. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format.