In an extended interview, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) shares the details of her tax plan for the ultra-rich: paying 2 and 3 cents on every dollar over $50 million. She defends her plan as the fairest, most progressive option to level the playing field for Americans, and considers the country’s path forward with the resulting $3 trillion. Plus, Merck is teaming up with Johnson & Johnson to churn out vaccines for the U.S., and the Squawk team is doling out Zoom grooming tips. 

Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky discusses the drugmaker’s single dose vaccine as it begins distribution across the United States. 4 million vaccines are en route to Americans across the country, solving the logistical and administrative challenges posed by the dual-dose, refrigerated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. In his annual letter to shareholders, Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett admitted mistakes, commented on the markets and offered some folksy wisdom. The legendary investor said, “despite some severe interruptions, our country’s economic progress has been breathtaking. Our unwavering conclusion: Never bet against America.”

GameStop shares continue to climb today, keeping alive a rally that restarted this week. In a history lesson soaked in 1990s-nostalgia, Henry Blodget, co-founder and CEO of Insider, says “the entire market is actually at an extreme level relative to all history, including 2000 and that’s because of interest rates.” Etsy blew past earnings estimates. The online retailer has been one of the big pandemic winners with shares up 300% over the past year. Etsy CEO Josh Silverman discusses the company’s quarterly results and its outlook for 2021. Plus, awaiting the newest Covid vaccine from Johnson & Johnson and the latest on the debate to increase the federal minimum wage. 

The online-driven trading frenzy around retailer GameStop ignited again following the announcement of next month’s departure of Chief Financial Officer Jim Bell. CNBC’s Jim Cramer questioned “are prices real?” on Wall Street anymore, as he exasperatingly tries to make sense of GameStop’s renewed rally. Democrats are set to advance President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal on Friday without Republican support. David Rubenstein, a co-founder of the Carlyle Group, discusses the potential economic impacts of the legislation and the fight over the $15 federal minimum wage. Anheuser-Busch InBev reported better-than-expected revenue for the fourth-quarter, but AB InBev CEO Carlos Brito says consumers are itching for bars to fully re-open. Plus, vaccines, variants and the investing wisdom of 97 year old Charlie Munger.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev and Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy streamed a candid conversation on social media this week, and Wall Street is reacting to their exchange and the continued fallout of the GameStop short squeeze drama. House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is pushing back against President Biden’s stimulus plan and its minimum wage plan, but President of the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce Ron Busby says the sooner consumers have more in their pockets, the sooner small businesses will recover. Plus, Elizabeth Holmes is back in the news for yet another development in the unraveling of Theranos, and Michael Bolton is back in the sound booth for a comical ad that’s taken the businessworld by surprise.

Former Senior Advisor to President Obama and current President of the Barack Obama Foundation Valerie Jarrett discusses President Biden’s first 100 days in office, the metrics by which Americans will judge his success, and the latest iteration of the stimulus package. Bitcoin’s wild ride continues, catching the attention of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Plus, a former Tesla employee’s electric vehicle SPAC could be the tipping point for the hyped listing process, highlighting all that could go wrong in any public debut. 

Music mogul and entrepreneur Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter is selling half of his Armand de Brignac “Ace of Spades” champagne to the Wine and Spirits arm of LVMH, Moët Hennessy. JAY-Z and Moët Hennessy CEO Philippe Schaus discuss the deal, the alcohol landscape, and the impact that both Moët Hennessy and JAY-Z have had on the world of luxury liquor. Plus, Bitcoin’s roller coaster continues, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb considers Dr. Anthony Fauci’s projection of mask-wearing through 2022.

Two participants in the House Financial Services Committee “Game Stopped” hearing debrief on the marathon day on Capitol Hill. Ken Griffin, the billionaire CEO of hedge fund Citadel, defends his $2 billion investment in short seller Gabe Plotkin’s Melvin Capital amid the height of the GameStop mania. Griffin says that there is “no doubt” that the amount of short selling will be reduced thanks to the power that Reddit-fueled retail traders demonstrated with GameStop. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) discusses his concerns about the “democratization of financial addiction,” the subject of his questions to Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev during the House hearing. Plus, a big happy birthday to Andrew Ross Sorkin!

In an extended interview, business magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates discusses his new book, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” with Andrew Ross Sorkin. In a wide ranging conversation, Gates weighs in on Elon Musk and Tesla, the Reddit Rebellion and subsequent GameStop drama, vaccination strategies, Bitcoin, and President Biden’s policies for a greener future. 

Operation Hope’s John Hope Bryant and Shark Tank co-host Kevin O’Leary discuss what’s at stake in the House Financial Services Committee’s hearing on the Reddit- and Robinhood-fueled market volatility this week. Real estate developer Roderick Hardamon tells CNBC’s Diana Olick how he’s helping to rebuild Detroit and improve access to capital for women and minorities in his community. Plus, Bezos is back at the top of the billionaires list, Texas is weathering energy outages as the cold front wears on, and Dr. Anthony Fauci is clarifying the U.S. vaccination timeline. 

President of the St. Louis Federal Reserve James Bullard shares his outlook for the U.S. economy in 2021, from vaccination and pandemic recovery to the tech sector’s sky high valuations. Haley Sacks, AKA the millennial investing influencer “Mrs. Dow Jones,” discusses social media’s role in gamifying the stock market. Plus, mainstream corporate interest has bumped Bitcoin up and over $50,000, and Texas temperatures are shutting the state’s oil refineries down. 

Cannabis stocks have been on a roller coaster this week, as Reddit traders piled into the biggest names in pot. CEO of Aurora Cannabis Miguel Martin discusses the Reddit-fueled market volatility and his hopes for the marijuana industry. Data shows remote work could become the norm for most companies. Adam Grant, organizational psychologist and author of “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know”, discusses a post-pandemic work life balance and the benefits and challenges presented by remote work. Coupang, the e-commerce giant that has muscled Amazon out of South Korea, is planning what could become Asia's biggest IPO since Alibaba. Plus, investors swiped right on Bumble on its first day of trading.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is betting on widespread vaccination to help the ride sharing business recover in 2021. He discusses UberEats, the competition, and accepting Bitcoin for rides. Surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and staff writer for The New Yorker Dr. Atul Gawande discusses vaccination strategies across the U.S., and considers best practices for reaching underserved populations. Plus, the team is craving PepsiCo’s snacks, Zillow’s hot for real estate junkies, and Bumble is hitched to the Nasdaq, just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Strategist and pollster Frank Luntz breaks down America’s response to the “Reddit Rebellion,” and considers the collective power of the public, threatening to topple the U.S. financial system as we know it. New Jersey has vaccinated over 1 million people, and Governor Phil Murphy discusses the state’s (long) path to the end of the pandemic. Plus, Bitcoin is once again on the move after yet another celebrity tweet, junk bonds are back, and Colin Kaepernick is joining the SPAC wave. 

As valuations for Tesla and Bitcoin climb higher and higher, Joe, Becky, and Andrew consider the roots of the hype and the consequences for the market. Operation Hope’s John Hope Bryant delves into what the “Reddit Rebellion” is teaching America about equity and financial literacy in this country. Plus, DoorDash is betting on restaurant robots; automation is coming soon to a salad near you. 

Elon Musk’s Tesla announced that it has bought $1.5B in bitcoin, and the company plans to accept the currency as payment for its products. Galaxy Digital’s Michael Novogratz says this should be the first corporate move of many, but Tesla’s announcement intensifies concerns that Elon Musk is irresponsibly wielding his power to hype stocks and cryptocurrency--like Dogecoin--on his social media. South Africa is second guessing the efficacy of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against a new coronavirus variant, and back in the U.S., Super Bowl LV used touchless security company Clear to keep attendees and health workers safe at this year’s game. Clear CEO Caryn Seidman Becker discusses Clear’s technology and its role in a post-pandemic, post-vaccine world. 

23andMe is set to go public in a merger with a SPAC backed by Sir Richard Branson. Company co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki and Branson himself discuss the “delight” offered by the company’s genetic sequencing, and they look ahead to what they’re hoping is a lucrative future. In a special conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, Joe Kernen reflects on his own family’s journey with 23andMe, including the highs and lows of finding long lost blood connections. Plus, Johnson and Johnson has asked the FDA for emergency use authorization for its vaccine, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb says an approval could hasten the country’s herd immunity. 

Apple is finally hitting the road, closing in on a deal with Hyundai-Kia to manufacture an Apple-branded autonomous electric vehicle in Georgia. Merck CEO and social justice leader Ken Frazier is stepping down from his role, effective in June. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell discusses his legacy while at the helm of the pharma giant, as well as his role in pushing progress in corporate America. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has introduced a bill to take on Big Tech and bolster antitrust regulation. Plus, PayPal delivers big returns to its investors.

 Jeff Bezos is stepping back from his role as Amazon CEO, passing leadership to AWS head Andy Jassy. Walter Isaacson, author of the introduction to Bezos’s book, “Invent and Wander,” discusses the Amazon founder’s infinite thirst for innovation and the transition of power at the “store” that changed everything. In the wake of the Redditor rebellion, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is calling for a meeting of financial regulators. Former Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher considers the regulators’ role in managing volatility, maintaining market fairness, and leveling the market’s playing field. 

The endgame may be near for the GameStop squeeze trade as investing enthusiasm and volume wane. Silver prices, another hill in the battle between Redditor retail investors and Wall Street hedge funds, fell after hitting an eight-year high on Monday. Ray McGuire, Democratic candidate for New York City mayor and former Citigroup vice chairman, discusses his strategy for overcoming the pandemic and supporting businesses in crisis, including calls for police reform and more. Plus, SpaceX is prepped for its first all-civilian space mission.

Starting off a new week and a new month, Wall Street continues to weather concerns about the Reddit-sparked retail trading frenzy around GameStop. Joe Moglia, former chairman and CEO of TD Ameritrade, puts the Reddit traders’ short squeeze into perspective with the broader market. Elon Musk turned to social media audio app, Clubhouse, for a conversation with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev about the retail investor rebellion. Paul Davison, CEO and co-founder of Clubhouse, the audio social networking app popular with Wall Street and Silicon Valley insiders, discusses social media’s role in the markets. Plus, could Silver be the new GameStop?

In a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, singer, actress, activist, and Presidential Inauguration performer Lady Gaga shares her hopes for rebuilding community spirit post-pandemic. She and Becky Quick discuss her inauguration performance, mental health amid Covid, and the WELL Health-Safety Seal initiative to bolster consumer confidence in shared indoor spaces like live concert and sport venues. Plus, Elon Musk is moving markets, and The New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman gives a graphic, circle-of-life-inspired explanation of the RobinHood, GameStop, short squeeze drama. 

In this Squawk Pod bonus episode, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev returns to speak to Andrew Ross Sorkin following the free brokerage’s controversial decision to suspend buying of certain volatile stocks like GameStop. Near the end of a wild week, Tenev is getting criticism from a virtual army of Reddit-reading retail investors for the move. 

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian reflects on social media’s role in the GameStop short squeeze drama. He considers the evolution of the Internet and the advent of a new normal where equity investing and communication are democratized. Plus, Mavericks owner, entrepreneur, and investor Mark Cuban weighs in on the Wall Street heat, the role of regulators, and the importance of an investing education--wherever we can find it. 

Retail investing Redditors are gaming GameStop. The social media-driven roller coaster ride for the GameStop stock has lost Wall Street’s biggest short sellers billions of dollars--and has made everyone else a hefty profit. The Squawk Box team breaks down why it’s happening, what it means, and which stock might be next. In an interview with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses the rise and role of the retail investor, from the GameStop drama to expanding access to the U.S. financial system. Plus, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan is leveraging capitalism to advance sustainability goals. In an extended interview, Moynihan stresses corporate America’s influence on achieving environmental and equity goals in the U.S. and beyond

President Biden’s director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese, shares the new administration’s strategy for combating the simultaneous crises now facing the nation. Axios reporter Sara Fischer discusses MyPillow’s Twitter drama, Washington’s agenda for Big Tech, and hurdles for bipartisan tech regulation. CNBC’s Leslie Picker reports on Wall Street’s ties to infamy: Apollo’s Leon Black’s $150 million payment to Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, Harriet Tubman is coming (not so soon) to a $20 bill near you, and Elon Musk loves his dog’s new hat--and Etsy, the platform where he bought it. 

Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein speaks out on President Biden’s minimum wage pitch, the SPAC frenzy, and cryptocurrency regulation. He considers the trajectory of markets under a new administration and weighs in on the Fed’s moves in 2021. Presidential-turned-mayoral candidate Andrew Yang discusses New York City’s road to recovery amid the pandemic. He shares his plans for keeping NYC strong, from vaccine distribution to supporting the local talent pool. Plus, the Squawk team is kicking their anchorman habits--or at least, trying. 

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), co-chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, discuss the legislative path forward under the Biden administration. After a divisive start to 2021, they’re urging for bipartisanship. Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary and Galaxy Digital’s Michael Novogratz debate President Biden’s proposed $15 minimum wage; the two weigh the benefits of higher wages against the pressure they would place on small business employers. Plus, IBM and Intel are struggling to keep up with big tech’s newest players, and James Bond’s “No Time to Die” is (still) waiting for its time in the movie theaters. 

Just over 24 hours in office, President Biden has signed a series of executive actions on the pandemic, immigration, and climate change. CNBC’s Eamon Javers breaks down his agenda to get the nation past the pandemic and back on its feet, some parts of which are a direct rollback of Trump-era policies. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu discusses President Biden’s $1.9T relief plan and expresses his own state’s hopes for the new administration. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell reflects on the year since the CDC’s first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the U.S. It’s been a heartbreaking road, but with continued scientific funding, experts are hopeful for a brighter 2021. Big tech has also had a bumpy road through 2020, weathering multiple hearings on Capitol Hill and proposals for regulation. Journalist Joanne Lipman and Axios reporter Sara Fischer consider what Silicon Valley giants can expect from the new administration. Plus, bitcoin’s had a wild ride in 2021 so far, but the Squawk team’s lessons from childhood suggest that things might get rougher still. 

Billionaire investor and philanthropist Leon Cooperman, Chairman and CEO of Omega Family Office, discusses his vote for President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Cooperman considers where and when he’ll find alpha in the markets under the nation’s new leader. Plus, CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps Donald Trump’s last acts in office: a string of pardons. 

Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses coronavirus vaccine supply, likelihood of bottlenecks, and threats to equitable distribution. Harvard Professor, AEI President Emeritus, and contributing writer for The Atlantic Arthur Brooks says reconciliation and healing in America are possible, if we refocus on offering opportunities for success. The host of “The Art of Happiness with Arthur Brooks” considers what’s needed from both political parties for a productive future for all. Plus, President-Elect Biden is headed for the White House, Teslas are headed for Chinese driveways, and a new auto listing in Europe has made a market splash. 

President-Elect Joe Biden has unveiled his $1.9T Covid relief package, and his newly appointed Council of Economic Advisers Member Jared Bernstein makes the case for the proposal and discusses the pandemic’s “dual shock” to the American financial system. The New York Times media columnist Ben Smith joins OZY Media CEO Carlos Watson to examine what comes next for big tech as Silicon Valley giants grapple with protections for users and for free speech. Plus, 2021 is only 2 weeks old, but it already has IPO fever. The Squawk Box anchors unpack the biggest listings so far, and the speedbumps that may lie ahead for investors eager to jump in while the deals are flowing. 

In an extended interview, billionaire Republican, Invemed Chairman, and Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone speaks out against reluctance to accept President-Elect Joe Biden as the nation’s next leader. As a trustee of NYU Langone, a philanthropist, and an American billionaire, Langone discusses taxes, pandemic relief, and the country’s public education system. Plus, in a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, Becky Quick reflects on Langone’s comments over his years of interviews on Squawk Box. 

Corporate executives across the country are reassessing their political donations in the wake of last week’s violence in the Capitol. Former EY Global Chairman and CEO Mark Weinberger discusses corporate responsibility amid an increasingly polarized American political environment. Plus, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains the current vaccine distribution pipeline and considers the value of different eligibility qualifications in different jurisdictions across the nation.

Leaders in Washington and on Wall Street are grappling with conservative allegiances as lawmakers approach a vote on impeachment and corporate America cuts off donations to lawmakers who opposed the 2020 Presidential Election results. Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie discusses the fundamentals of big tech regulation and responsibility with Twitter’s former Global Chair of News and former President and CEO of NPR, Vivian Schiller. Plus, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla joins CNBC’s Meg Tirrell to discuss coronavirus vaccine bottlenecks across the country. 

Parler, the social app favored by conservative Americans, found itself on the wrong side of Apple, Amazon, and Google in the wake of last week’s riots in the U.S. Capitol. Big tech is drawing a line on the internet, suspending President Donald Trump’s content and forcing Parler temporarily offline. Axios business editor Dan Primack and journalist Joanne Lipman track big tech’s journey to today’s platform power debate. CNBC’s Eamon Javers offers intel from Washington and considers the various paths for lawmakers seeking an eleventh hour impeachment. Plus, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt discusses the role of big tech in upholding free speech and protecting its users. He explores accountability and responsibility on the internet, and the implications of media businesses taking a stand on issues nearly inextricable from party politics. 

In the wake of the riots at the Capitol, America’s C-suites are speaking out, some calling for President Trump’s removal from office, others urging a reevaluation and restoration of the United States’ democracy. Founder and co-executive chairman of The Carlyle Group David Rubenstein calls on his fellow business leaders to help restore America’s reputation as a beacon of democracy, and to restore American democracy itself. Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Mellody Hobson, reflects on her role as a corporate leader in pushing the nation forward, and considers the juxtaposition of new market highs and political unrest. 

Hours after a mob of pro-Trump rioters breached the United States Capitol and disrupted the Presidential certification process, Congress certified President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the nation’s next leaders. On the ground in DC, CNBC’s Washington Reporter Eamon Javers recaps the day’s chaos and the country’s attempt at recovery. President Trump’s former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney addresses his own responsibility in supporting a leader who ultimately incited violence in the People’s House. Mulvaney announces that he has resigned from his final position in Donald Trump’s administration. Plus, entrepreneur and author John Hope Bryant underlines the lessons of January 6, 2021. “This suggests something is wrong with the business plan for this country.” Bryant rejects what some have considered the “separatist movement” that prompted the violence at the Capitol, and calls on Americans to reconsider the way they maintain democracy.

As Georgia’s final runoff votes are counted, Joe Lonsdale, Palantir co-founder and 8VC founding partner, considers how the state’s races are impacting market volatility. Lonsdale discusses Peloton, Netflix, and other tech stocks on the move as we kick off 2021. Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh has written a new WSJ op-ed on China’s bid for financial supremacy after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications. Warsh says the U.S. should not be “naive about what’s happening” with China. Plus, Vegan milk brand Oatly is reportedly aiming for a $1 billion IPO this year, and cheers--it’s Joe Kernen’s birthday.

Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, Chinese tech celebrity, and outspoken innovator in China, has not been seen in public for two months. China Beige Book International CEO Leland Miller discusses why the CCP and the Chinese banking sector might be pleased that Ma is lying low. Miller considers the global community’s theories on Ma’s disappearance and what China’s crackdown on tech means for President-elect Biden’s international agenda. CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon shares China’s response to an about face on the New York Stock Exchange; after suggesting that they’d delist three Chinese companies, the NYSE has changed its mind. Blackstone’s Byron Wein returns for his 36-year-old tradition of projecting the biggest market surprises in the year to come. Plus, Haven, the joint health care venture between Amazon, JPMorgan, and Berkshire Hathaway, is scheduled to shut down next month. 

As the final count in Georgia’s runoff elections draws nearer, Axios co-founder Jim Vandehei breaks down what’s at stake on both sides of the aisle. CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps the other political story in the Peach State: President Trump’s hour-long call with Georgia’s Secretary of State. American vaccinations are underway, but Dr. Scott Gottlieb considers potential speed bumps in the U.S. supply and distribution system. Plus, it’s a new year, which means new resolutions. WW CEO Mindy Grossman explains how she’s supporting new members in 2021. 

In the final episode of the year, CNBC Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon shares life in China, a year after the world’s first case of Covid-19 within its borders. CNBC’s Leslie Picker breaks down the most impressive hedge fund returns of the year. Joe Kernen and Becky ring in New Zealand’s New Year together and reflect on the year that was, both emotionally and financially. Looking to 2021, Axios co-founder Mike Allen considers what’s at stake in the Georgia runoffs, and what’s to come in the eventful week ahead. Happy New Year!

Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) shares why he remains against upping the American stimulus checks from $600 to $2000 amid the pandemic. CNBC’s Senior Economics Reporter Steve Liesman breaks down the economic arguments on both sides of the stimulus debate. The United Kingdom has approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, and the shot will join the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine distribution already underway there. Dan Loeb’s activist hedge fund Third Point is pushing chipmaker Intel to explore a strategic deal, and the news has already directly impacted Intel’s stock price. Plus, it’s a new age for enterprise according to Unqork, the three-year-old no-code software platform that hit a $2B valuation in 2020. CEO Gary Hoberman and CapitalG General Partner Laela Sturdy discuss how software infrastructure is evolving, and which enterprise giants are taking part. 

American Airlines is operating the first U.S. flight of the Boeing 737 Max since the craft was grounded in March or 2019. CNBC’s Auto and Airline Industry Reporter Phil LeBeau is on that first flight from Miami to New York. Plus, EU-based cloud communications platform MessageBird is taking on Twilio with its $3B valuation. In the second interview of the $1B+ Club series, MessageBird CEO Robert Vis and one of his investors, Spark Capital GP Will Reed, discuss how they’re betting on an omnichannel platform as a service (PaaS) to change the way businesses communicate. 

This year has been painful for many businesses, but some tech-focused startups have managed to thrive amid the pandemic. In the $1B+ Club series debut, founder and CEO Klaviyo, Andrew Bialecki, shares how his marketing automation platform quintupled its valuation to $4.15B in the last 10 months. Ping Li, venture capitalist who led Accel’s investment in Klaviyo, discusses how Klaviyo joins a healthy cohort of e-commerce platforms, and highlights how Klaviyo has helped many struggling businesses pivot to online commerce after the pandemic closed their brick and mortar locations. Chinese regulators have ordered Ant Group, the world’s largest financial technology company, to rectify its businesses and comply with regulatory requirements amid increased scrutiny of anti-monopoly practices in the country’s internet sector. Plus, 11th hour changes to stimulus plans...and the most *intimate* holiday returns. 

In an original conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, anchors Joe Kernen and Becky Quick reflect on the roller coaster year of the pandemic--market turns, tech glitches, binge watches and all. The two CNBC hosts Zoom in (and out) for a look at what filled their years with gratitude, energy, and hope. Plus, a White Elephant exchange: 2021 predictions, streaming recommendations, and wishes for the new year. Happy Holidays!

After last minute input from President Trump, the $900B relief bill passed by Congress may be back to the negotiating table. The New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman shares why the situation is “suboptimal” across the board, and he discusses what’s next for lawmakers and Americans awaiting aid. Surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and staff writer for The New Yorker Dr. Atul Gawande discusses coronavirus risks ahead of the holidays and the likelihood of a Covid mutation spreading worldwide. Plus, the last days of the holiday shopping season are upon us, and Fanatics Executive Chairman Michael Rubin says the pandemic has accelerated demand for e-commerce options. Head of the sports swag e-retailer quizzes the Squawk team on the season’s most popular merchandise, and considers the tough road ahead for logistics companies. 

Apple’s efforts to get its own electric passenger vehicle on the road might finally be picking up speed. The Sunday Times West Coast Correspondent Danny Fortson discusses reports that Apple’s taking on Tesla with its own EV, how the tech giant will do it, and why it makes sense. Plus, Congress has finally passed a $900B relief package for Americans. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) discuss their work in the Problem Solvers Caucus to bridge the partisan divide and get a deal done. Plus, Peloton’s expanding and the Squawk team is dancing for holiday joy. Sort of.