What's Happening

Politics

Ready or Not, Big Changes Are Coming to Social Security 

What's going on: It could soon get a lot harder to collect those Social Security checks. Starting March 31, Social Security recipients who aren’t able to verify their bank information and identity online will have to do it the old-fashioned way: in person. That’s because the Social Security Agency (SSA) is ditching phone verification for bank information and ID checks. (At least the agency claims it will be able to process all direct deposit changes in one business day instead of the original 30.) Elon Musk and President Donald Trump say the changes are to address fraud that’s running rampant — claims that have been proven false. Meanwhile, the DOGE layoffs that have hit the federal government are heading to the SSA (think: cuts to its workforce and dozens of office closures).

What it means: The changes won’t just overwhelm the agency’s operations — they’ll also likely make it harder for millions of elderly and disabled Americans to get the financial help they need. Many don’t have access to computers to verify their identity online, and getting to an office could be tough — assuming they can even get an appointment. One expert says wait times are already over a month, with staffing at a 50-year low. These changes likely won’t go over well with some voters, who are already flocking to town hall meetings to press Republicans on the issue. Lawmakers have historically avoided touching the popular retirement program during budget battles. The White House has said Trump has no plans to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.

Related: President Trump Set To Deliver on a Major Campaign Promise Today: Dismantling the Department of Education (NBC News) 

Business

Tesla Dealerships Are Burning — and So Is the Brand

What's going on: One of the first shots— or Banksy-esque spritzes if you will — was the spray painting of a Cybertruck, in a move some labeled “dark woke.” Then things escalated. In recent weeks, vandals have hit Tesla dealerships, shattering windows, burning cars, and damaging charging stations in protest of Elon Musk’s political influence and claims that he “bought” his way into the White House. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the Tesla torching “domestic terrorism” directed at Musk, with some in the MAGA world pressuring the Justice Department to take action. It’s not just in the US — a Tesla display got yanked in Canada this week over safety concerns. Amid Tesla’s plummeting stock price, Musk recently appeared on the verge of tears in a Fox Business interview, admitting his businesses are struggling.

What it means: The literal fires might just be the start of Tesla’s troubles. Critics say they’re symbolic of the larger rot taking hold of the company as Musk shifts his focus from business to politics. Big-name investors like Barstool’s Dave Portnoy have called him out for spreading himself too thin, arguing that Musk needs to refocus on Tesla and its shareholders. Meanwhile, some Tesla owners (including a US senator) have vowed to sell their cars. Analysts say the backlash isn’t exactly shocking. EV buyers tend to be eco-conscious (read: often liberal) — the Obama administration helped them get on the road. Some analysts are now warning that if Musk really wants to be a political kingmaker, he might have to watch his actual kingdom burn in the meantime. 

Related: California Regulators Just Gave Tesla a Major Green Light (The Verge)

Sports

Game, Set, Sue

What's going on: Cue the techno music from Challengers — drama is unfolding in the tennis world. The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), a player advocacy group co-founded by tennis pro Novak Djokovic, has filed an antitrust lawsuit in New York against pro tennis’ governing bodies, accusing them of treating players unfairly. The complaint claims the ATP, WTA, the International Tennis Federation, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, operate like a “cartel” by capping prize money, stifling competition, and limiting players’ ability to earn money off the court. The PTPA has filed similar lawsuits in London and Brussels. Notably, Djokovic is not listed as a plaintiff, though he remains involved as a member of the PTPA’s executive committee.

What it means: Beyond money matters, the lawsuit also raises some serious concerns about player welfare. That includes an “unsustainable” 11-month season, “invasive” phone searches, and drug testing that players say feels more like overkill than oversight. The PTPA says it’s not trying to blow up the sport (no LIV Golf-style drama here). Instead, players want a boost in prize money, more recovery time, and standardized tennis balls, which they blame for wrist and forearm injuries. The ATP is accusing the PTPA of choosing “division and distraction through misinformation over progress,” while the WTA called the lawsuit “regrettable and misguided.” Safe to say, this match is going into extra sets and a resolution might not come quickly.

Related: New Balance Just Gave Coco Gauff the Coolest Birthday Gift (Hollywood Reporter)