President Trump on Wednesday attempted to rally interest in Trump accounts with a flurry of announcements related to employer contribution matches and multiple celebrity endorsements.
Tesla is discontinuing the Model S sedan and Model X crossover — luxury vehicles that put the company on the map but which have become long in the tooth by automotive standards.
Why it matters: This isn't just belt-tightening. Amazon's pullback from some of its most ambitious projects suggests the company is becoming more selective about its public-facing retail initiatives.
Shares in Meta jumped 10% in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company forecast higher operating income for this year, even as its costs could nearly double this year.
Why it matters: Meta has been pouring billions into AI talent and infrastructure, which executives have said is essential to the company's future and to keep the U.S. competitive in AI.
ServiceNow is deepening its existing partnership with Anthropic, further integrating the AI startup's Claude models to power its own offerings, according to a company memo reviewed by Axios.
Why it matters: A recent funding target valued Anthropic at $350 billion in part due to these kinds of deals: Businesses want access to Anthropic's technology, which puts the Claude-maker further ahead in the AI race.
A quarter of young Americans think China has more global power and influence than the U.S., compared to 12% of Americans ages 65 and older, according to a new Carnegie Endowment for International Peace survey.
Why it matters: Political dysfunction, economic pressures and cultural exchanges are helping to reshape how young Americans measure global power — and America's place in it.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, noting "solid" growth and a stabilizing job market, as the central bank navigates a delicate economic and political moment.
The big picture: The central bank's policy committee took a breather after three consecutive rate cuts in the final meetings of last year, showing greater confidence in the economy. But policymakers gave no hints as to when they may adjust borrowing costs again.
Starbucks' U.S. customer traffic rose for the first time in nearly two years, the company said Wednesday — an early sign its turnaround is gaining traction.
Why it matters: It's a win for CEO Brian Niccol, who was brought in more than 16 months ago to revive slowing U.S. sales by pulling customers back into stores.
President Trump is turning on the PR machine for "Trump accounts," bringing in a star rapper and a slew of CEOs to help fund investment accounts for kids.
Why it matters: The White House has promised the Trump accounts will unlock financial freedom for future generations, with a structure that could disrupt American philanthropy.
But for the program to pack the biggest punch, the administration needs private-sector buy-in — America's richest and large employers.
There are signs that the so-called vibecession is back for 2026, but with a twist — it's the highest-earning Americans who feel more glum, as the faltering labor market for white-collar workers drives a bit of a doom loop.
Why it matters: The U.S. economy increasingly runs on the spending power of the upper middle-class and wealthy, and if they're anxious that could affect everyone.
Massive fiscal deficits as far as the eye can see. The prospect of easy monetary policy even amid elevated inflation. America's role in the world is in flux. Something has to give, and that something is the U.S. dollar.
The big picture: A drop in the value of the dollar against other major currencies — underway for the past year, with a new leg down in the last couple of weeks — is the market manifestation of a shifting economic landscape.
It's been an inauspicious start for TikTok U.S., the $14 billion social media spinout whose top backers include Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX, and former owner ByteDance.
Catch up quick: Some users have accused TikTok U.S. of censoring certain content, including mentions of ICE and Jeffrey Epstein.
A new limited-edition lager from Columbia Sportswear and Breakside Brewery includes an unusual ingredient: bear poop.
Why it matters: The beer, announced Wednesday, is the latest headline-grabbing stunt tied to Columbia's "Engineered for Whatever" platform — part of the brand's push to stay culturally relevant through shock-value marketing.
U.S. companies are pulling future borrowing into the present, racing to refinance debt while credit remains cheap.
Why it matters: Refinancing looks attractive when the future is uncertain. This could be a signal that corporate borrowers see a volatile future ahead.
A robot trained to drive an 18-wheeler can now drive a taxi, too, says Waabi — a Canadian autonomous trucking startup that just secured up to $1 billion from investors, including Uber.
Why it matters: Waabi says it's the first company to develop a shared AI "brain" that can operate both trucks and robotaxis — and eventually, other types of physical AI such as drones, warehouse robotics and humanoids.
Amazon said Wednesday it will cut another 16,000 jobs, just three months after slashing 14,000 roles across the company in a broad efficiency drive.
The big picture: Companies have become outspoken about trying to do more with fewer people, for a mix of reasons: AI productivity gains; over-hiring in the post-pandemic job boom; or simply reducing costs amid ongoing inflation pressure.
Walmart is reshaping pharmacy jobs — raising pay and elevating thousands of technician roles as it invests more heavily in pharmacy workers, the world's largest retailer tells Axios.
Why it matters: As pharmacy jobs evolve beyond filling prescriptions, Walmart's move shows how retailers are reworking frontline roles in the health system to meet patient demand.
When the Trump administration started its purge of the civil service a year ago, it kicked off an exodus of federal workers with consequences that are only beginning to shake out.
Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of former federal employees are trying to find their way in a sluggish labor market, as the administration's opponents warn about the long-term consequences of a shrunken civil service.
I rejoined Axios thisyear as a "boomerang" employee with a clear mission: I'm making videos to grow an Axios YouTube audience that we can build a business around.
We launchedtwo this week:a virtual interview with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei by Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen, and a blunt take from Jim on why everyone should dive deep into AI.
