Squawk Pod

In writing “The Nvidia Way” in 2024, journalist Tae Kim conducted over 100 interviews with Jensen Huang, Nvidia co-founders, and early employees and backers. Kim explains who might replace the resigned CEO, how Jensen Huang’s leadership defined Nvidia’s success over the last 33 years, and how important his presence has been to company culture, morale, and shareholder value. Then, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent moved into military housing after threats from Iran raised concerns about his safety. His message, straight from Squawk Box airwaves to Iran: “‘f’ the Iranian leadership.” In a wide-ranging conversation, Sec. Bessent discusses the U.S. government’s role in the national security concerns of the Nvidia scandal, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s involvement in the chip trade, and the health of the U.S. economy.

Tae Kim - 09:54
Scott Bessent - 17:24

In this episode:
Tae Kim, @firstadopter
Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessent
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned from his role, and Nvidia CFO Colette Kress will step in as interim CEO. In China, CNBC’s Beijing bureau chief Eunice Yoon explains Chinese perceptions of the scandal and of Alice Huang, and she reports what she’s hearing from chip smugglers in China. In Washington, CNBC’s Eamon Javers dives into the personal details at play in the scandal and the potential legal fallout. In New York, CNBC’s Jim Cramer joins Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin to digest the enormous implications of Nvidia’s leadership transition. On the White House lawn, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer discusses the geopolitics of the Nvidia scandal and the import/export rules in the international AI chip trade.

Eamon Javers - 02:47
Eunice Yoon - 17:37
Amb. Jamieson Greer - 27:21

In this episode:
Amb. Jamieson Greer, @USTradeRep
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Eunice Yoon, @onlyyoontv
Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers
Jim Cramer, @jimcramer
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After House Republicans elected Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as House GOP Leader, former Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry discusses his party’s path forward. On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) is running (unopposed) for House Majority Whip. He shares his plan for working with Jim Jordan and other hardline MAGA lawmakers. Then, more angles to the “sexpionage” scandal at Nvidia: what it means for the AI chip economy, and what it could mean for Jensen Huang’s company shares. CNBC’s Robert Frank reports on the fallout from a potential divorce between Jensen and Lori Huang.

Robert Frank - 12:31
Patrick McHenry - 21:23
Peter Aguilar - 39:42

In this episode:
Peter Aguilar, @RepPeteAguilar
Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Robert Frank, @robtfrank
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anthropic has set its IPO price range between $70 and $78 per share, aiming to list on November 19th. CNBC’s Leslie Picker reports on the company’s valuation and what’s at stake for the entire AI ecosystem in that debut, and Anthropic investor Lo Toney discusses Anthropic’s newest financials. Also expected on November 19th: Grand Theft Auto VI. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of the title’s owner Take-Two Interactive, shares his company’s latest financial results and optimism heading into the game’s highly anticipated release. Plus, Wall Street, Main Street, and Nvidia shares are still reeling from Jensen Huang’s scandal. Eamon Javers reports on President Trump’s commentary and what news may still be forthcoming.

Eamon Javers - 6:23
Leslie Picker - 14:41
Lo Toney - 25:07
Strauss Zelnick - 33:00

In this episode:
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers
Leslie Picker, @LesliePicker
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has admitted to having an affair with Alice Huang, a business executive who intelligence agencies have identified as a spy for China. The Nvidia board has begun an independent investigation, and U.S. officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio have raised concerns about Jensen Huang’s relationship. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the scandal and the national security risks at play. Journalist and author of “The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia and the World's Most Coveted Microchip” Stephen Witt discusses the risks to an AI ecosystem revolving around one man. He wrote the book on Jensen Huang–with the cooperation of Jensen Huang–and underscores the CEO’s own emphasis on being a family man. Plus, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy considers the paths ahead for both political parties. He considers the lessons the GOP must learn from their major losses at the midterms, and looks ahead to what could be a pivotal 2028 primary.

Eamon Javers - 02:55
Stephen Witt - 18:57
Kevin McCarthy - 32:15

In this episode:
Stephen Witt, @stephenwitt
Kevin McCarthy, @SpeakerMcCarthy
Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers
Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.