Squawk Pod CNBC

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to a porn star before the 2016 election. Following the verdict, Trump's campaign raised $34.8 million from small-dollar donors in less than seven hours, nearly doubling its single-day fundraising record and crashing the donation website. CNBC’s Brian Schwartz discusses the implications for the election in November. Plus, veteran tech investor and longtime Democrat donor Alan Patricof discusses Silicon Valley's political ties, the 2024 race, and the AI industry's impact on tech valuations. At the Consensus conference in Austin, former NYSE president and Bullish CEO Tom Farley shares both Presidential candidates’ approaches to crypto, and weighs in on the politicization of digital assets.

Brian Schwartz - 03:10
Alan Patricof - 16:55
Tom Farley - 27:20

In this episode:
Brian Schwartz, @schwartzbCNBC
Tom Farley, @thomasfarley
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

Foot Locker posted better-than-expected comparable sales as CEO Mary Dillon’s turnaround plan shows signs of success. Dillon discusses the company’s “Lace Up” strategy, innovations in sneakers, and catering to all kinds of consumers. The Wall Street Journal’s Emily Glazer shares her scoop: former President Trump is considering a special advisor role for Elon Musk, should he win the presidency. Plus, Nelson Peltz sells his entire share of Disney stock, ExxonMobil shareholders voted to confirm the board after an activist fight, and McDonald’s says, prices are not too high.

Mary Dillon - 11:44
Emily Glazer - 23:03

In this episode:
Emily Glazer, @emilyglazer
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

After two activist investors pushed ExxonMobil to reduce emissions, the company sued the activists, prompting them to withdraw their proposal. The litigation has cost ExxonMobil’s board the support of CalPERS, the largest public pension fund in the U.S. and a $1B stakeholder in Exxon. CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost discusses her position ahead of the company’s shareholder meeting on Wednesday, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce EVP of Capital Markets Competitiveness Tom Quaadman explains why the U.S. Chamber backed Exxon in its lawsuit against the activist investors. Plus, economist and University of Maryland professor Melissa Kearney says decades-long concerns of overpopulation were misguided; advanced economies are facing fiscal troubles as their working age populations dwindle.

Frost - 05:02
Quaadman - 17:18
Kearney - 26:16

In this episode:
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

The McDonald’s $5 value meal is coming in June, aimed at relieving inflation-weary consumers. But franchisees are also inflation-weary; Scott Rodrick, a franchisee in California, discusses the pressures at his restaurants and the difficulty of offering value in a high-cost environment. The Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, aiming to split up the parent company and Ticketmaster, its subsidiary. CEO of competitor SeatGeek Jack Groetzinger discusses competition for ticketing and best experiences for fans. The Tesla shareholder vote on Elon Musk’s pay deal is coming soon, but it’s only one of multiple weekend headlines on the tech billionaire. Musk’s startup xAI has notched another $6B in funding, pushing the company’s valuation to $24B. Musk is also reportedly planning an xAI supercomputer. Plus, China has created a nearly $48B fund to back Chinese chip companies, CNBC’s Eunice Yoon reports.

Eunice Yoon - 08:01
Jack Groetzinger - 13:26
Scott Rodrick - 22:09

In this episode:
Eunice Yoon @onlyyoontv
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Dan Doctoroff is the New Yorker largely responsible for rebuilding New York after 9/11. The legacy of his long career in business and government includes his oversight as deputy mayor in the creation of now-iconic spots: Hudson Yards, the High Line, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the new World Trade Center. Doctoroff reflects on his life and career two years after receiving his ALS diagnosis and shortly after learning about a project that celebrates his contributions to New York. In a surprise tribute, his friends and colleagues wrote, “The Urbanist: Dan Doctoroff and the Rise of New York.” Andrew Ross Sorkin sits down with Doctoroff in the Whitney Museum for a look at his legacy and his supercharged nonprofit venture, Target ALS, in this special Memorial Day episode.

In this episode:
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The NCAA has signed off on a deal that could change college sports–and student athletes–forever. Chair of Carolina Coastal University Athletics Joe Moglia discusses the $2.8B that could be coming to college players over the next decade, as well as the winners and losers in a new business plan for university athletics. Elon Musk says he doesn’t support President Biden’s tariffs on Chinese EVs, Novo Nordisk says Ozempic could slow kidney disease, and the number of 401(k) millionaires has hit a new high. Plus, Nick and Gabe Safier have been spreading joy and special needs advocacy on social media. The brothers and creators of the Safier Universe join Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin for a conversation on the bright side of the internet.

Joe Moglia - 13:14
Nick and Gabe Safier - 24:28

In this episode:
Joe Moglia, @CoachJoeMoglia
Nicholas Safier, @NicholasSafier
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie