Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is in Beijing, just as U.S. officials are eyeing his company’s supply of AI chips to DeepSeek. CNBC’s Kristina Partsinevelos explains the line between maintaining competition and preserving national security when it comes to tech infrastructure. Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell expressed concern that the central bank could be caught between controlling inflation and supporting economic growth, as tariffs contribute to economic uncertainty. President Trump responded, calling for a rate cut and the termination of Jay Powell as chair. Plus, the IRS is attempting to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and shares of UnitedHealth Group plunged after the company cut its profit forecast.

Kristina Partsinevelos - 26:40

Peter Kraus - 31:43

In this episode:

Kristina Partsinevelos, @KristinaParts

Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

The Trump administration’s standoff with Harvard has frozen $2.2B in grants to the university. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is a Harvard alumna as well as Chairwoman of the Republican Leadership, and she’s calling to “defund Harvard.” For Rep. Stefanik, the government has a right to demand changes on campus and to withhold grant money. She discusses issues of free speech and antisemitism on college campuses. In his first interview since leaving office, former SEC Chair Gary Gensler weighs in on tariffs, negotiating with China, cryptocurrencies, and the betting markets. Plus, United Airlines is offering two profit outlooks, just in case the economy falls into a recession, and critical minerals may be the Trump administration’s next target for tariffs.

Elise Stefanik - 12:30

Gary Gensler - 31:11

In this episode:

Rep. Elise Stefanik, @EliseStefanik

Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

The Trump administration is investigating semiconductors and pharmaceutical ingredients, the first steps toward tariffs in those industries. Former FDA Commissioner and board member at Pfizer and Illumina Dr. Scott Gottlieb shares his concern that if costs get any higher for generics like heparin, hydrocortisone, and amoxicillin, drugmakers might stop manufacturing them. Dr. Gottlieb explains America’s pharma supply chain through China and India, as well as the thin margins on some of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. The Trump administration ordered a freeze on $2.2B grants to Harvard after the university rejected the White House’s demands for changes, including to DEI programs. The move has sparked another debate about free speech on higher education campuses. Plus, the Chinese government has reportedly ordered Chinese airlines to stop buying Boeing aircraft, and DOGE cuts in DC have hit the workforce in Virginia. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is still optimistic about his state’s future.

Glenn Youngkin - 21:21

Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 39:36

In this episode:

Glenn Youngkin, @GovernorVA

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMD

Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie