Carl Icahn Called Into CNBC To Tell CNBC To Stop Calling Him
Back in December, CNBC anchor Scott Wapner officiated an interview with hedge fund managers Carl Icahn and Bill Ackman, on the topic of Herbalife. In addition to describing Ackman, Icahn's sworn enemy, as a "crying Jewish boy" not unlike the ones Icahn used to "beat up" in the schoolyards of Queens, going on record to say that he wouldn't invest with Ackman if the Pershing Square manager was "the last man on earth," and noting that he "rued the day" he met Ackman (referred throughout the interview by Icahn as "this Ackman guy"), Carl also had some choice exchanges with Wapner. They included:
- Icahn: “If you want to take…hello?” Wapner: “Yeah, we’re listening.” Ichan: “Well, if you’re listening, let me talk!”
- Ichan: "I want to say what I want to say. And I'm not going to talk about my Herbalife position because you want to bully me." Wapner: "I'm not bullying you. I'm asking the question everybody wants to know, Carl that's all. But you can make your statement." Icahn: "I'm going to talk about what I god damn want to talk about." Wapner: "Okay." Icahn: "If you want to take that position I will never go on CNBC. You can say what the hell you want." Wapner: "Okay." Icahn: "But I'm going to tell you, I'm going to talk about what Ackman just said about me, not about Herbalife. And I'll talk about Herbalife when I god damn want to, not when you ask me."
- Wapner: "Guys, we are going to end it there. Bill, so much appreciate you coming on today. Carl, I hope you'll come back. That's all I can say. It was a good conversation and it wasn't anybody's --" Icahn: "I don't hear you tell me that you appreciated me coming on."
Which is why viewers might have been surprised to hear Carl's voice once again grace the CNBC airwaves today, in a call-in with Wapner during the Fast Money "Half-Time" report, but were probably not surprised to hear him spend a good portion of the interview telling Wapner to get off his lawn.
Scott Wapner: We are also talking about Dell today because Carl Icahn has sent out a letter to investors basically saying "We are throwing in the towel, there is nothing more that can be done, we fought the good fight and now it is time to move on." We mentioned that Carl agreed to come on the phone and I believe he is joining us now. Carl, you there? Carl Icahn: Yeah, I'm here. Scott Wapner: Welcome. Thanks for calling in. I badgered you enough so I appreciate you making the phone call. Carl Icahn: Yeah, you certainly called my number a number of times. Scott Wapner: It is a popular number in my Rolodex, what can I say? [...] have you spoken with [Michael Dell] yet? Carl Icahn: No, I haven't. I've been too busy talking to you. Scott Wapner: You have. Carl Icahn: You called me so many damn times. [...] Scott Wapner: Carl, thanks so much for calling in. We'll be following you on Twitter for your next move. Carl Icahn: Alright. I'm sure we'll be calling me. I'm going to change my phone number. So long, Scott.
Icahn: Dell situation corporate dictatorship [CNBC]
Earlier: How Should Bill Ackman And Carl Icahn Settle This Thing Once And For All?
