The morning after crypto and tech leaders met President Trump at the White House, attendee and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discusses the Clarity Act vote in September. Armstrong is optimistic that crypto will begin a new bull run in the fall. AI data center construction has become a political flashpoint in the primaries and upcoming midterms as candidates navigate support and pushback in their communities. Pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz discusses data center marketing among constituents, as well as the future of the Democratic Party as the Democratic Socialists of America gain traction nationwide. Plus, President Trump has threatened an “economic D-day” for Iran, and U.S. national debt has climbed above $40 trillion while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a debt buyback program. Eamon Javers - 13:40 Brian Armstrong - 18:30 Frank Luntz - 29:21 In this episode: Brian Armstrong, @brian_armstrong Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntz Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC 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.

U.S. Debt, Data Centers in the Midterms, & Coinbase CEO 8/20/26

Squawk Pod

[SPEAKER_04] Bring in show music, please.

[SPEAKER_06] Hi, I'm CNBC producer Katie Kramer. Today on Squawk Pod. A White House summit on crypto with the industry's regulatory future still a bit in limbo. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong was there, and for investors, he's optimistic.

[SPEAKER_04] October, November, December, these tend to be good months for Bitcoin. So I think there's a good chance we're on the cusp of the next bull market for spot trading in crypto.

[SPEAKER_06] Then the data center election. Pollster Frank Luntz on the surprising political issue he says can be understood by the wisdom of Cool Hand Luke.

[SPEAKER_02] What we have here is a failure to communicate. People who want to build these data centers are not explaining how the populations will benefit.

[SPEAKER_06] Plus, the rest of today's news, the Fed's family fight, Megxit no more, and Treasury Secretary Scott Besson's surprising bond buyback.

[SPEAKER_05] Some people who think he's Alexander Hamilton and this is genius. Other people who think that this is ruinous.

[SPEAKER_06] It's Thursday, August 20th. Squawk Pod begins right now.

[SPEAKER_04] Stand Andrew by in three, two, one, cue Andrew.

[SPEAKER_05] You're watching Squawk Box right here on CNBC. I'm Andrew Ross Sorkin hanging out with Kelly Evans today. Becky and Joe are off. A lot going on. So much going on. So much. We got to get into all of it.

[SPEAKER_07] President Trump announcing he's ramping up economic pressure on Iran. In a truth social post, the president called the move an economic D-Day and in his words, quote, the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country. He said, I am also announcing that any country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will...

U.S. Debt, Data Centers in the Midterms, & Coinbase CEO 8/20/26

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

U.S. Debt, Data Centers in the Midterms, & Coinbase CEO 8/20/26

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.