Squawk Pod CNBC

Jeffrey Katzenberg led The Walt Disney Studios, he founded DreamWorks, he made Shrek, and now he’s doubling down on tech and cybersecurity investing at WndrCo. Katzenberg and Sujay Jaswa, his co-founder at WndrCo, discuss their $460m raise and their bets on AI’s impact across tech and entertainment. Plus, the Hollywood mogul comments on the potential Paramount-Skydance merger and his faith in Bob Iger. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo has returned from Ukraine and joins Andrew Ross Sorkin at the CNBC CEO Council Summit in Washington, DC. Deputy Sec. Adeyemo discusses the Russian war machine, inflation pressures for American consumers, and the Biden administration’s message to China. Today’s other headlines include Intel’s newest chip and the latest meme stock mania.

Jeffrey Katzenberg & Sujay Jaswa - 16:47
Wally Adeyemo - 31:50

In this episode:
Wally Adeyemo, @wallyadeyemo
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

GameStop's stock surged again, fueled by speculation that Keith Gill might hold a significant position in the video game retailer. CNBC's Dominic Chu discusses the meme stock craze. Reid Hoffman, a partner at Greylock and co-founder of Inflection AI and LinkedIn, talks about the launch of 'Reid AI,' his own 'digital twin.' He (the real Hoffman) shares his thoughts on the future of AI, the dangers of deepfakes, and the current state of the AI arms race. And, Cleo Abram, host of the popular internet show "Huge If True," weighs in on the creator economy, the role of AI, and whether YouTubers should be considered for Emmy awards. Plus, Nvidia announces new AI chips and OPEC announces production cuts.

Reid Hoffman 12:07
Cleo Abram 28:03

Reid Hoffman, @reidhoffman
Dom Chu, @thedomino
Cleo Abram, @cleoabram
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

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