1. Written in the stars
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during a media tour of a Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas, Sept. 23, 2025.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Speaking to CNBC’s David Faber yesterday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that “people are right to be anxious” about artificial intelligence. His comments came on the same day that Florida’s attorney general sued Altman and his company over product safety concerns. But that wasn’t the only AI headline Monday.
Here’s a recap:
2. Testing patience
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 27, 2026.
Evan Vucci | Reuters
President Donald Trump told CNBC’s Eamon Javers yesterday that he “couldn’t care less” if negotiations with Iran were over, amid reports that Tehran would halt talks with the U.S. due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Trump also said in the phone interview that the discussions “took too much time” and “started to get very boring.”
But later on Monday, the president posted on Truth Social that talks with Iran “are continuing, at a rapid pace.” Trump also posted that he had a “very productive” call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Oil prices spiked yesterday, but Wall Street was unfazed. The three major indexes all climbed to new highs, propelled by Nvidia which surged 6% after announcing its entrance into the PC chip business. Follow live markets updates here.
3. Pub-thropic
Gabby Jones | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Meanwhile, SpaceX said in a filing yesterday that it is reserving as much as 5% of stock for sale in its upcoming IPO for “certain employees and persons.” Those individuals will be “selected based on the discretion of our executive officers,” the Elon Musk-led company said in the amended filing.
4. On the rocks
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) attends a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images
Reports that the fund would be dropped came after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., met with Trump at the White House. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., also told reporters yesterday that the Trump administration should “shut it down themselves.”
5. (Mc)Flurry of changes
A “Welcome” sign outside a McDonald’s restaurant in LaBelle, Florida, US, on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. McDonald’s Corp. is scheduled to release earnings figures on February 11. Photographer: Zak Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
McDonald’s laid out is newest plan for global growth yesterday. Under the “McDonald’s > NEXT” plan, the fast-food chain is focusing on four areas: restaurant design, food taste, consumer-led innovation and customer service.
The chain is looking to focus on menu innovation — like bettering its McCrispy chicken line — and improve kitchen operations. It’s McDonald’s first global growth plan since it released its “Accelerating the Arches” plan in late 2020.
As CNBC’s Amelia Lucas notes, McDonald’s is trying to come out on top as restaurants fight to win over a smaller pool of customers. It’s also trying to fend off competition from newer chains, such as Raising Cane’s and 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee. “In a world where every restaurant is a swipe away, there is no such thing as second place,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski wrote in a memo.
The Daily Dividend
Prediction market platform Kalshi saw trading volumes surge more than 2500% from a year ago to a record $17 billion in May. Here’s a look at its ascent:
— CNBC’s Annie Palmer, Ashley Capoot, Samantha Subin, Yun Li, Jennifer Elias, Jordan Novet, Katie Tarsov, Chris Eudaily, Sawdah Bhaimiya, Kevin Breuninger, Spencer Kimball, Sam Meredith, Yee Ling Shan, Lora Kolodny, Dan Mangan, Amelia Lucas and Davis Giangiulio contributed to this report.
CJ Haddad assisted in the production of this newsletter. Josephine Rozzelle edited this edition.
Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a commercial relationship that includes customer acquisition and a minority investment.
