The judge in the bellwether social media trial in Los Angeles barred Meta’s defense from introducing a document where the plaintiff said she had suffered “sexual abuse during childhood.”

The exchange happened after the jury and plaintiff’s witness, psychiatrist Dr. Kara Bagot, were dismissed for the day. Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt took to the lectern to ask Judge Carolyn Kuhl about an exhibit he wanted to introduce to the court.

The document was a housing application from the plaintiff, a 20-year-old female identified in court as Kaley G.M. She had filled the application out after her mom evicted her from their shared home. When asked in the application if she had suffered any “traumatic circumstances or events” in her life, she wrote: “exposure to neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse during childhood.”

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 Meta’s lawyer, Paul Schmidt, outside the courtroom in California. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

“This happened in the family, but she wasn’t asked to elaborate,” said Schmidt to the judge. Schmidt wanted to introduce the application, which was filled out in May 2024 – after her lawsuit was filed – to show that Kaley did not list “social media addiction” as one of her traumas.

Schmidt offered to redact “sexual abuse” from the document because it hasn’t been discussed or brought up at the trial in any of her extensive medical records, which number over 200. He said that the other traumas – neglect, emotional and physical abuse – are all backed up in the previous testimonies.

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Kuhl asked to see the application and scoffed, telling Schmidt, “It looks like she’s lying here. She’s bringing up autism, she’s bringing up sexual abuse that never happened,” said Kuhl.

It has not been discussed by either the plaintiff or defense in court if Kaley experienced sexual abuse or if she had lied about experiencing sexual abuse. Autism has been discussed in her records, but she was never diagnosed with it.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives at the Los Angeles Superior Court at United States Court House on Feb. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Jill Connelly/Getty Images)

Kuhl asked if there was any evidence of sexual abuse. Schmidt said he didn’t know where Kaley got that from, as it wasn’t explored in her deposition.

“In this document, she’s exaggerating. Common logic says she’s got to find a place to go, she’s trying to convince [the housing] that she’s an abused child so they can help her,” said Kuhl. “She’s making it as ’that’ as possible.”

Schmidt disagreed with Kuhl’s take on the exhibit, saying he only wanted to bring up the traumas that she’s previously testified to.

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“I don’t know how you don’t get a sense of the document that I get. As a judge who sat in child abuse courts, sometimes kids do that,” said Kuhl.

Schmidt told the court he would drop the request and Kuhl thanked him.

Also discussed after the jury was dismissed was the issue of time left for both sides to present their case. Kuhl determined before the trial that each side would get 40 hours to make their case, which includes all direct and re-direct examinations. Currently, the plaintiff attorneys, specifically lead counsel Mark Lanier, have 5 hours and 56 minutes left. The defense, which includes both Meta and Google, has 11 hours and 11 minutes left.

Mark Lanier, the main plaintiff’s lawyer, walks outside the court in California. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Lanier still has additional witnesses to call, including Meta whistleblower Arturo Bejar. Schmidt and the defense team seemed to be in control of their time left until the testimony of Bagot, who they have spent a considerable amount of time cross-examining.

Bagot will be on the stand for her fifth day on Thursday, which Lanier admits is unusual. Kuhl has also grown weary of how long she’s been on the stand.

“I want to say something to everyone about where this is going. Overnight, think to yourselves, ‘Have I asked this question before?’ Look at the jurors and ask yourself if they’ve got the picture,” Kuhl said.

Kuhl opined that if one of the sides runs out of time and doesn’t have a chance to cross-examine, that could open the door for an appeal.

“The appellate court in our state court system hasn’t spoken to the great issue of the time limit,” said Kuhl. “If we say this is the clock, and it was set when we had no idea what it was going to look like, and all of a sudden a side can’t cross-examine, what are they going to say about this?”

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She expressed optimism the sides would get it done.

“Don’t worry. Don’t fight about it. You are all close. You will get this done.”

Shares of The Trade Desk Inc. rocketed higher in early Friday trading, gaining nearly 19% as reports of potential partnership discussions with OpenAI fueled optimism in the beleaguered ad-tech sector. The rally provided a sharp contrast to the stock’s steep declines earlier in 2026, driven by softer guidance and competitive pressures.

The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) traded around $29.90 to $30.00 by mid-morning Eastern Time, up approximately $4.73 to $4.81 or 18.8% to 19.1% from Thursday’s close of $25.17. The stock opened near $31.49, hit an intraday high of $32.90, and dipped to a low of about $29.51 to $29.71. Volume surged dramatically, exceeding 40 million shares in early sessions—well above recent averages—as traders reacted swiftly to the news.

The catalyst stemmed from reports that The Trade Desk held talks with OpenAI about partnering in ad sales, potentially integrating the AI leader’s capabilities into programmatic advertising workflows. Speculation suggested such a collaboration could enhance targeting, creative generation, and campaign optimization on The Trade Desk’s platform, particularly in connected TV (CTV) and open internet channels. Shares popped as much as 22% in some snapshots, with after-hours moves earlier pushing levels toward $27.50 before Friday’s momentum carried higher.

The move marked a dramatic rebound for a stock that has faced intense selling pressure in 2026. Year-to-date, TTD has declined significantly before this session, with shares down over 30% at points amid broader ad-tech challenges. The 52-week range spans a low of $21.08—touched recently—and a high of $91.45 from mid-2025. Market capitalization stood near $13 billion to $13.5 billion, reflecting the volatility.

Recent headwinds trace to the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings released late February. Revenue rose 14% year-over-year to $846.8 million, beating estimates of $841.9 million, while adjusted EPS of $0.59 aligned with consensus. Adjusted EBITDA reached $400.3 million, surpassing forecasts. Excluding political ad spend, growth appeared stronger at around 19%.

However, first-quarter 2026 guidance tempered enthusiasm. The company projected revenue of at least $678 million—implying roughly 10% growth—and adjusted EBITDA around $195 million, down from the prior year’s $208 million. Analysts cited pressures in advertiser categories like automotive and consumer packaged goods, alongside competition from walled gardens and macroeconomic caution.

The outlook prompted widespread analyst downgrades and price target cuts in late February. Firms slashed targets sharply, with some dropping to the low $20s from prior highs in the $50s to $90s. Consensus now hovers around $32.95 to $33, implying modest upside from pre-rally levels but still reflecting caution on near-term execution.

Despite the pullback, The Trade Desk maintains strengths in independent demand-side platform leadership. Its focus on CTV, audio, and retail media continues to drive adoption, with initiatives like the Ventura Ecosystem enhancing impression quality and advertiser control. Partnerships and data integrations position the company to capture share in an evolving digital ad landscape increasingly influenced by AI.

Broader market context added layers to Friday’s action. While geopolitical tensions and oil price surges pressured equities overall, ad-tech and growth names showed selective resilience on company-specific catalysts. The Dow and S&P 500 traded mixed to lower, but speculative and tech-adjacent stocks reacted to headline momentum.

Options activity spiked, with call volume elevated and bullish positioning evident in short-dated contracts. Traders appeared to bet on continued follow-through if partnership details materialize or if upcoming data reinforces recovery signals.

Wall Street remains divided. While recent cuts reflect execution risks and decelerating growth—from mid-20s percentages in prior years to teens now—some analysts highlight long-term potential in AI-enhanced advertising and open internet gains. Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 project EPS around $2.06 to $2.08, up from prior years, though revisions have trended lower.

The Trade Desk’s next major update arrives with first-quarter results expected in May 2026. Investors will seek clarity on guidance delivery, CTV momentum, and any AI or partnership progress. Management has emphasized platform independence and transparency as competitive edges amid industry consolidation.

Friday’s surge illustrates the stock’s high-beta nature and sensitivity to catalysts in a volatile environment. After months of underperformance, the OpenAI-related speculation injected fresh hope for a turnaround, though sustainability hinges on fundamentals amid macro and competitive challenges.

As U.S. markets progressed, TTD held strong gains near $30, with volume remaining elevated. The session served as a reminder of how quickly sentiment can shift in ad-tech, balancing cautious outlooks with potential for explosive upside on positive developments.

A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows.

Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024.

That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said.

The report noted that hardship withdrawals can be a sign of financial stress as workers tap into their 401(k) as a safety net that can help them cover unanticipated expenses or emergency costs.

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IRA hardship withdrawals trended higher in 2025 as some savers encountered financial stress, Vanguard found. (iStock)

Vanguard added that the process for requesting a hardship withdrawal from 401(k) plans has become easier to do, which could explain the uptick in withdrawal activity.

“Given that it’s now easier to request a hardship withdrawal and that automatic enrollment is helping more workers save for retirement, especially lower-income workers, a modest increase isn’t surprising,” the firm wrote.

“And for a small subset of workers facing financial stress, hardship withdrawals may serve as a safety net that may not otherwise have been available without plan-implemented automatic solutions,” Vanguard continued.

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Vanguard’s report found that foreclosures, eviction and medical expenses were the leading reasons for 401(k) hardship withdrawals. (Mike Mergen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Avoiding foreclosures, eviction and medical expenses were the leading reasons that 401(k) participants made hardship withdrawals, while the median size of the withdrawal was $1,900, according to Vanguard.

The report found that participants were focused on financial goals throughout 2025 and saw average account balances rise by 13% due to positive market performance. Vanguard noted that 45% of 401(k) participants increased their deferral rate on their own or through an automatic annual increase.

“While there are some signs of heightened financial stress among certain workers, the broad trends in plan design and participant behavior remain strong,” Vanguard said, noting that automatic contributions have boosted savings and investment outcomes.

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Congress reformed the law to make it easier for Americans to make hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans in 2018. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

The use of 401(k) loans – an alternative to hardship withdrawals – was flat and remained below prepandemic levels.

Congress reformed the process for taking 401(k) hardship withdrawals in 2018, making it easier to do so by eliminating a requirement that a plan participant take a loan out first before being allowed to make a withdrawal.

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Vanguard found that hardship withdrawals have risen six years in a row after the change was made.

Britney Spears, the pop superstar whose career has spanned more than two decades of chart-topping hits, personal triumphs and public battles, remains one of entertainment’s most enduring figures. As of early March 2026, the 44-year-old singer faces fresh headlines following an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, adding another chapter to her complex post-conservatorship life. Here are 10 key things to know about Britney Spears today.

1. **Enduring Pop Legacy**
Spears burst onto the scene in 1998 with “…Baby One More Time,” selling over 30 million copies worldwide and sparking the late-1990s teen-pop explosion. Her catalog includes nine studio albums, with classics like “Toxic,” “Oops!… I Did It Again” and “Womanizer” earning her a spot among the best-selling female artists ever, with more than 150 million records sold globally.

2. **Conservatorship Battle and Freedom**
From 2008 to 2021, Spears lived under a court-ordered conservatorship that controlled her personal and financial affairs amid mental health struggles. The arrangement ended in November 2021 after public protests and her testimony detailing abuse claims. The #FreeBritney movement galvanized fans worldwide, marking a pivotal victory for artist rights.

3. **Post-Conservatorship Memoir**
In 2023, Spears released “The Woman in Me,” a bestselling memoir detailing her conservatorship experiences, family dynamics and Hollywood pressures. The book sold millions of copies and sparked renewed interest in her story, including discussions of an upcoming biopic adaptation.

4. **Music Catalog Sale**
In early 2026, Spears sold rights to her music catalog to publisher Primary Wave in a deal reportedly worth around $200 million. The transaction provided financial security while allowing her to step back from active music management. She has not released new music since 2016’s “Glory,” though fans speculate about future projects.

5. **Vow Against U.S. Performances**
In January 2026, Spears posted on Instagram that she “will never perform in the U.S. again because of extremely sensitive reasons.” She cited personal factors without elaboration but expressed hope for future shows in the United Kingdom and Australia, possibly alongside her son Jayden James, whom she praised as a “huge star” in music.

6. **Teases of International Comeback**
Despite her U.S. performance stance, Spears has hinted at a return to the stage abroad “very soon.” Fans have fueled 2026 comeback rumors through social media, interpreting cryptic posts and throwback photos as signs of new music or limited international dates. No official announcements have confirmed tours or albums as of March 2026.

7. **Recent DUI Arrest**
On March 4, 2026, Spears was arrested by California Highway Patrol in Ventura County on suspicion of driving under the influence. Records show the incident occurred late Wednesday evening; she was cited and released early Thursday morning. Spears is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on May 4, 2026. Details of the charge and any potential outcomes remain pending.

8. **Family Focus and Personal Life**
Spears shares two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, with ex-husband Kevin Federline. She has spoken openly about motherhood challenges and her evolving relationship with her children. Recent posts highlight support for her son’s music career and personal reflections on faith, fear and spiritual growth.

9. **Social Media Presence**
Spears remains active on Instagram, where she shares dance videos, personal thoughts and family moments with millions of followers. Her posts often blend vulnerability, humor and defiance, addressing past traumas while embracing independence. In early 2026, she discussed spiritual awakenings and admiration for figures like Madonna.

10. **Ongoing Cultural Impact**
Spears continues to influence pop culture, with her story inspiring documentaries, books and advocacy for mental health and conservatorship reform. Rumors of a biopic based on her memoir persist, and her catalog’s enduring popularity keeps hits in rotation. Despite challenges, including the recent arrest, Spears’ resilience resonates with fans who view her as a symbol of survival and artistic freedom.

The March 2026 arrest marks Spears’ latest brush with legal issues, drawing renewed media attention amid her post-conservatorship era. Authorities have released limited details, and Spears has not publicly commented on the incident as of early Friday. Her team did not immediately respond to requests for statement.

Fans continue to monitor her social media for updates, balancing concern with support. Spears’ journey—from teen idol to outspoken advocate—remains compelling, with 2026 shaping up as a year of personal reflection rather than confirmed professional returns.

As legal proceedings approach in May, Spears’ story underscores the complexities of fame, recovery and privacy in the public eye.