Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a combative Senate hearing, confronting the biggest challenge to his legacy to date. The doctor's silence marks a dramatic shift for the longtime public health official.

In Washington, President Trump conducts nightly calls with fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke, dubbed his "princess of darkness," to track corporate donations. He directs her to request sums ranging from $5 million to $50 million from specific donors, often those who recently met with him. The operation has persuaded corporate America to contribute hundreds of millions to fund his projects.

Meanwhile, AI is reshaping the labor market. New business applications are rising while hiring intent remains flat, suggesting technology enables founders to scale without employees. Economists note AI juices entrepreneurship while reducing headcount needs.

One tech executive used AI to code an app in a weekend while keeping her day job; the product now generates seven figures in annual profit, illustrating the new solo-founder model.