Axios

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested this week that only "fraudsters" would complain about missing a monthly Social Security check, and that most people wouldn't mind if the government simply skipped a payment.

Why it matters: More than 70 million Americans get a Social Security benefit every month, and for many, those checks are their only income.

The Trump administration on Friday disbanded most of the civil rights branch that oversees immigration within the Department of Homeland Security, multiple outlets reported.

Why it matters: The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is charged with ensuring the Department of Homeland Security's activities protect individual rights and guarantee equal treatment under the law.

Tesla trade-ins hit an all-time high amid political backlash to CEO Elon Musk's leadership of DOGE in President Trump's administration.

• The company is facing customer protests at Tesla stores throughout the world, sales boycotts, vehicle vandalism and online opposition. Meanwhile, current owners are embracing bumper stickers disavowing themselves of Musk's rightward turn.

By the numbers: 1.4% of dealership trade-ins this month have been Teslas, according to Edmunds data through March 16.

"Severance" fans won't have to wait ages for a new season this time.

• Apple CEO Tim Cook today confirmed that the show has been renewed for a third season: "Season 3 of Severance is available upon request," Cook said in an X post reply to "Severance" producer Ben Stiller.

State of play: The sci-fi thriller — in which workers undergo a procedure that splits their memories — is now airing its Season 2 finale on Apple TV+.

• The critically acclaimed hit show's second season arrived three years after its first season — a painful gap for its avid fans, partially caused by the 2023 Hollywood strikes.

What they're saying: "While I have no memory of this, I'm told making season three will be equally enjoyable, though any recollection of these future events will be forever and irrevocably wiped from my memory as well," Stiller said in a statement.

Ticket resale marketplace StubHub on Friday filed for an IPO, saying that it plans to list shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Why it matters: This could be a bellwether for how investors feel about the live events industry.

London's Heathrow Airport resumed some flights after closing earlier Friday when a fire at an electrical substation caused a major power outage and sparked travel chaos.

Why it matters: Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in Europe and one of the best-connected travel hubs in the world. At least 1,350 flights that were scheduled to arrive at or depart from the airport have been affected so far, per the flight-tracking service Flightradar24.

The U.S. Treasury Department has removed the cryptocurrency privacy tool Tornado Cash from the country's sanctions list.

Why it matters: The Ethereum-based smart contract has been a favorite tool for North Korean hackers and other bad actors to cover their tracks after stealing digital assets from exchanges and decentralized finance projects.

Kyivstar, the Ukrainian mobile operator that just agreed to list on the Nasdaq via a reverse merger, has agreed to buy local ride-hail and delivery firm Uklon for $155 million.

Why it matters: This suggests some level of economic optimism for the besieged country, even as that giant minerals deal with the U.S. remains in limbo.

Starbucks' big bet on reestablishing its cafes as community coffeehouses is showing early signs of paying off, according to numbers shared exclusively with Axios.

Why it matters: The Seattle-based coffee giant is trying to reverse a decline in foot traffic and sales by returning to its roots.

The Boston Celtics yesterday agreed to be sold to private equity investor Bill Chisholm at a valuation that will reach up to $7.3 billion, easily the highest price ever paid for a pro sports club.

It's also raised lots of questions. So let's do this Q&A style, based on conversations with multiple sources:

President Trump on Friday suggested sending anti-Tesla protesters to a notorious prison in El Salvador if convicted.

Why it matters: Trump has put the full weight of the U.S. government behind defending and promoting "first buddy" Elon Musk's car company, which has seen both its sales and stock price slump.

The mere threat that the U.S. will impose massive tariffs on E.U. wine has already caused some importers to pause their shipments.

Why it matters: If the tariffs go into effect and the pause becomes permanent, it could devastate a wide range of U.S. businesses.

The unemployment rate is pretty low at the moment, but under the hood Americans sure are nervous about the job market.

Why it matters: Add rising job anxiety to the growing list of soft economic indicators that may be signaling trouble ahead.

A little-noticed Trump administration move will decrease the minimum wage for federal contractors, rolling back a boost that helped hundreds of thousands of workers.

Why it matters: Trump's promises to both help American workers and cut costs are clashing in complicated ways.

Johnson & Johnson will spend $55 billion in the U.S. over the next four years on manufacturing, research and technology investments, the drug giant said Friday.

Why it matters: It's the latest in a series of pledges by big American companies, worth around $1 trillion so far, to expand U.S. manufacturing — a core goal of President Trump's trade war.

Tesla shares fell early Thursday after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick used a TV appearance to urge Americans to buy stock in Elon Musk's car company.

Why it matters: Cabinet secretaries don't typically recommend individual stocks, much less those linked to the president's closest adviser.