Larry Ellison Gave $1 Million to Pro-Lindsey Graham PAC
Ellison, 80, donated on March 14 to the Security Is Strength PAC, which is helping the South Carolina senator in his 2026 reelection campaign. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham, a former critic turned loyal ally, two weeks later. It was Ellison's largest political donation since 2022, FEC records show.
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How Trump became the new master of the Senate
The most eventful week to date in the midterm battle for the Senate just came to a close. The field in one of the marquee races of 2026 finally took shape in North Carolina, the lead architect of Project 2025 launched a primary challenge against South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rep. Mike Collins joined the Georgia GOP Senate primary, appointed Florida Sen. Ashley Moody continued on her special election glide path when her most serious Democratic challenger dropped out, and we got a little more insight into Nebraska. But don't lose sight of the larger narrative. Whatever else is happening in these races from week to week, the single most important factor determining the outcome of the 2026 Senate election cycle is President Donald Trump. Nothing else is even close. His approval ratings are part of this equation. Trump is famously rangebound in the polls, with a low ceiling and a high floor, but his popularity next year will matter — midterm history shows there is a correlation between a president's ratings and his party's fate. But Trump's unique ability to unleash the forces of electoral chaos is what really makes him the single most influential character. No one — not Mitch McConnell, not the National Republican Senatorial Committee, not Majority Leader John Thune nor anyone else — has done as much as Trump to directly shape the Senate GOP Conference over the past decade. Since taking office in 2017, he's hounded a handful of members out of office, been the proximate cause of lost Senate seats in Georgia and blown opportunities elsewhere (just Google McConnell and 'candidate quality'). By elevating JD Vance and Marco Rubio from their Senate seats into his administration, Trump created two more new Republican senators. Most recently, Trump upended the landscape in North Carolina. The traditional presidential play would have been to cut GOP Sen. Thom Tillis some slack, recognizing the complexity of the terrain and the party's need to maximize Tillis' chances of holding his seat. Instead, Trump became the catalyst for his retirement, enhancing Democratic chances of flipping the seat in one of the most competitive states in the nation. So far, Trump has been unusually disciplined when it comes to the Senate — by his standards, at least. Surrounded by the most capable political team he's ever assembled — and tempered by the bracing experience of two unsuccessful midterm elections — the president has judiciously dished out endorsements to incumbents and strategically withheld them. He's also largely avoided trashing wayward Senate Republicans. Until now. Whether it's the pressure from the Jeffrey Epstein saga or a reversion to the mean, the cracks are beginning to show. The gravitational pull toward chaos is overtaking his strategic imperatives. In the last week alone, Trump has publicly whacked three Senate Republicans — Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and 91-year-old Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the longest-serving member of the Senate — for largely minor political offenses. [Here's a thought exercise: Try imagining Barack Obama lighting up Robert Byrd for respecting an informal Senate practice, or George W. Bush torching Strom Thurmond. The missile aimed at Collins, who has consistently vexed the president, was predictable, though not particularly productive. Dragging one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents doesn't advance the goal of holding a Senate majority. The dig at Grassley — especially after the Senate Judiciary chair and champion of whistle-blowers fell in line on the Emil Bove nomination — was simply gratuitous. The Iowan's GOP bona fides date back to the Eisenhower era; his ticket's been punched in the Iowa Legislature, the House and nearly a half-century in the Senate. To suggest Grassley lacks political courage, or is a RINO, or that the president carried him to reelection in 2022, is to play cat's paw with him. It also served no discernable purpose, other than to remind Grassley and everyone else of Trump's dominion over the Senate, which isn't really in question anymore. Grassley's meek response was revealing: he said he was 'offended' and 'disappointed' by the insult. Welp. Trump can't seem to help himself: He delights in taking down members of the world's most exclusive club. Counting his Truth Social posts aimed at Chuck Schumer and four other Senate Democrats ('SLEAZEBAGS ALL') Trump leveled public attacks on eight different senators in recent days. The equal-opportunity disparagement helps explain his deep connection with the base of an increasingly populist GOP: The grassroots appreciates the fact that, when it comes to Trump, everyone in a position of power — senators, foreign leaders, former presidents, billionaires and Fortune 500 CEOs — is fair game. The GOP begins with a structural advantage on the 2026 Senate map: Nearly all of the Republican seats up for election are in states Trump carried easily last year, while Democrats must defend at least four seats that are more precariously perched. While the midterm political winds typically blow against the party in power, to win back the majority Democrats have to flip four Republican seats, while not losing any they currently control. It's a daunting task, but Trump looms as the great equalizer. It wouldn't take more than a few impulsive, undisciplined moves — such as endorsing slavishly loyal but unelectable candidates in key races, or creating messy primaries by torpedoing shaky GOP incumbents — to create just enough opportunities for Democrats to compete on what is otherwise an unforgiving Senate map.
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3 Things to Know About Palantir (PLTR) Before It Reports Q2 Earnings
Key Points Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform is changing the way businesses and governments operate. The company is growing quickly but sports an outsized valuation. A slowdown in growth could have an impact on the Palantir stock price. 10 stocks we like better than Palantir Technologies › Perhaps the most interesting stock to buy in the market today is Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR). The company, which is using its artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to completely alter how governments and commercial businesses operate, is up roughly 480% in the last year alone. So far in 2025, the stock is up almost 110%. Along with that remarkable run-up is a story of obscenely high valuation. Investors are betting big on Palantir to the tune of some rarely seen valuations, such as a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) nearing 700 and a forward P/E of 270. Palantir has its second-quarter earnings call scheduled on Aug. 4, after the market's closing bell. If it can maintain its growth momentum, its stock will continue to soar. However, a slowdown in growth could be devastating and let the air out of the Palantir balloon. Here's what investors should be watching for as the company prepares its Q2 report. Palantir's growth numbers Palantir is seeing serious growth since it unveiled its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) in the spring of 2023. AIP uses generative AI to allow users to input commands and lengthy prompts into Palantir's powerful network in order to get real-time insights and predict the outcomes of events. For government users of Palantir's Gotham platform, it's now much easier to command Palantir to tap into satellite networks to determine where opposing military assets are located, predict the results of operations, make recommendations, and offer insights as real-time battlefield situations evolve. Outside of the military aspect, Palantir's platform will be helping to optimize and orchestrate workflows so users can make better decisions throughout the government. Commercial users of Palantir's Foundry platform can use AIP to help them manage supply chains, optimize operations, crunch healthcare data, and reduce manufacturing costs. The company is seeing rapid growth in both platforms. While Palantir has long been recognized as a key government contractor, its commercial contracts in the first quarter were up 33% from a year ago, reaching $397 million. Much of that growth came from U.S.-based clients, where revenue jumped 71% from a year ago to reach $255 million. Government revenue was up a whopping 45% on a year-over-year basis to $487 million, with the lion's share ($373 million) coming from U.S. government contracts. That's leaving Palantir flush with cash. The company ended the first quarter with $370 million in adjusted free cash flow, up from $149 million a year ago, and $5.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents with zero debt. Key metrics to consider on Aug. 4 While Palantir's growth numbers are impressive, it's hard to say that the company is fairly valued today. Any company with a P/E ratio over 600 has far overextended its fair value -- and that's OK if you believe, as I do, that Palantir is a transformative company with a true value that still hasn't been recognized. But that belief isn't going to protect you if Palantir disappoints investors when it reports its Q2 earnings. How would that happen? There are a few metrics I'll be looking at. Customer count: Palantir's commercial customer count grew by 46% in the last year and by 9% on a quarterly basis. It needs to keep that momentum going by signing some big deals. In the first quarter, Palantir inked 139 deals of at least $1 million, and 31 of those were worth more than $10 million. Revenue growth: Palantir needs to keep the money coming in. Remember, commercial work rose 33% on a year-over-year basis in the first quarter, and government work was up 45%. A slowdown would be impactful to the Palantir stock price. For the record, Palantir issued guidance for second-quarter revenue in a range of $934 million and $938 million. The midpoint of that would be a 47% overall increase from a year ago. That's a big number, but I think it's achievable. Remaining performance obligations (RPO): This is the backlog -- the amount of revenue that Palantir has locked in by contracts it signed with government and commercial clients, but the work hasn't been delivered or paid for yet. Palantir's backlog at the end of the first quarter was $1.9 billion and has been steadily growing over the last two years. Quarter Total RPO Q1 2023 $936 million Q2 2023 $968 million Q3 2023 $988 million Q4 2023 $1.24 billion Q1 2024 $1.3 billion Q2 2024 $1.37 billion Q3 2024 $1.57 billion Q4 2024 $1.73 billion Q1 2025 $1.9 billion Source: Palantir Technologies Palantir's backlog is accelerating, and the company needs to continue to grow its RPO at a decent clip. Anything below $2.05 billion will be a red flag, and anything above $2.15 billion will be a huge signal that Palantir's growth story is still cooking. How to invest in Palantir today I'm an unabashed fan of Palantir, but I'm not going to be adding to my position this week. If you're looking to invest, I suggest a dollar-cost averaging strategy that will protect you from volatility if the stock drops but will still give you some benefits should the stock continue to show power. Regardless of how Palantir does in its report, I'm holding the stock because I believe that it will continue to deliver -- despite its steep valuation and high expectations from Wall Street. Should you buy stock in Palantir Technologies right now? Before you buy stock in Palantir Technologies, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Palantir Technologies wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $624,823!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,820!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,019% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Patrick Sanders has positions in Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Things to Know About Palantir (PLTR) Before It Reports Q2 Earnings was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
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Best Trucking Bookkeeping Services
Let's set the record straight—bookkeeping is not some behind-the-scenes admin task you push off until tax season. In trucking, your books are your compass. Without clean, organized, and trucking-specific financials, you're not just driving blind—you're making decisions that could sink your business. I've seen too many good carriers fall apart not because of bad freight, but because they didn't know their numbers. Here's the hard truth: if you're running a trucking company and you don't know your cost per mile, your fixed versus variable expenses, or how much profit you're making per truck—then it's only a matter of time before the wheels fall off. And most of the time, the problem starts with your bookkeeping partner. Too many so-called 'professionals' will take your money and give you QuickBooks spreadsheets that don't even break out fuel, tolls, or truck payments the right way. They don't understand that running authority is different from being leased on. They can't tell a 2290 from a 941, and when it comes to IFTA—they're lost. That's why choosing the right trucking bookkeeping service is non-negotiable. You don't just need someone who does books. You need someone who understands the business of trucking inside and out—and builds your finances like your business depends on it. Because it does. Why Most Bookkeeping Services Fail Trucking Businesses Let's be blunt—most traditional bookkeeping services are built for restaurants, salons, or local retail. Not for a cash-heavy, regulation-strangled, asset-dependent industry like trucking. Your average bookkeeper doesn't understand mileage-based cost structures. They don't know how to categorize fuel card advances. They can't explain what line haul revenue is versus FSC. And when you ask them for a clean P&L broken down by unit, they act like you're asking for a rocket launch. The result? You get monthly reports that look nice but mean nothing. Your truck payments get coded as 'loan liability' but don't show up on your operating costs. Your maintenance gets lumped in with personal expenses. And when tax season rolls around, you're stuck scrambling, paying too much, or worse—getting flagged in an audit. You need more than a paper pusher. You need a strategic partner. What Real Trucking Bookkeeping Looks Like A true trucking-focused bookkeeping service should give you financial clarity—not just compliance. They should hand you reports that tell you: How much each truck is actually making or losing Your true cost per mile, including fixed and variable Cash flow forecasts so you're not blindsided by insurance or IRP Proper fuel and maintenance tracking to inform your trade-in cycles Up-to-date IFTA calculations and mileage logs Accurate P&Ls that show freight revenue, fuel surcharge, accessorials, and deductions And most importantly, they should help you understand what the numbers mean. It's not about dumping spreadsheets in your inbox—it's about showing you which loads, lanes, and customers are actually profitable. It's about helping you answer questions like: Can I afford to add another truck? Should I refinance this equipment or hold off? Am I running too much deadhead in certain markets? Where can I trim overhead without cutting into operations? Bookkeeping should help you run your business better—not just file taxes. Top Trucking Bookkeeping Services That Actually Get It Let's walk through the players who are actually worth your time and money. These aren't generalists. These are firms that live and breathe trucking. They understand compliance. They understand cost-per-mile. And most importantly—they know what it's like to operate a small fleet in today's market. 1. Best for: Owner-Operators and small fleets just getting startedWhy it works: is purpose-built for trucking. They don't try to be everything to everyone—they focus on helping drivers and small carriers stay financially organized and DOT compliant. From day one, they're collecting your settlement statements, your ELD reports, and your fuel receipts. They know how to build a chart of accounts that works for trucking. Not something they copied from a bakery or dry cleaner. Their team is proactive, communicative, and familiar with the common traps most small carriers fall into—like mixing personal and business expenses or misclassifying truck leases. Standout Features: Monthly cost-per-mile analysis Driver pay tracking Full IFTA and 2290 support DOT compliance tie-in Fixed and variable cost breakdowns Who it's for: If you're in year 1–3 of your business and need structure, this is a solid place to start. Simple, clean, trucking-focused. 2. Rigbooks Best for: Carriers with multiple trucks who want to manage loads and books in one placeWhy it works: Rigbooks isn't just bookkeeping—it's a simple TMS (transportation management system) with built-in accounting features that are trucking-specific. If you're looking for a way to log your loads, calculate profitability, track expenses, and generate reports without jumping between five systems, Rigbooks brings it all under one roof. What sets them apart is how seamlessly they track cost-per-load and cost-per-mile in real time. You can see what a particular customer is really worth to your business—not just what the gross rate says. Standout Features: Per-load profitability tracking Integrated fuel and expense logging Clean, no-frills interface Great for owner-operators adding trucks Who it's for: If you've got 2–10 trucks and want more control over your numbers and dispatching without a full-blown TMS, Rigbooks bridges the gap. 3. Equinox Owner-Operator Solutions Best for: Owner-operators and S-corp carriers who want financial strategy Why it works: Equinox combines bookkeeping with tax strategy and business consulting—all tailored to the trucking industry. They're one of the few firms that will actually walk you through S-corp setups, per diem optimization, and how to pay yourself properly. They're built around educating the driver. That means explaining deductions, breaking down reports, and helping you structure your entity in a way that supports long-term growth and protects you during audits. Standout Features: S-corp optimization and payroll Tax coaching and entity structuring Bookkeeping reports built for trucking Monthly consultations Who it's for: If you're a serious owner-operator looking to maximize take-home pay while staying audit-proof, Equinox gives you both numbers and strategy. 4. ATBS (American Truck Business Services) Best for: Leased-on owner-operators who want plug-and-play supportWhy it works: ATBS has been in the trucking bookkeeping game for over 25 years. They've served tens of thousands of owner-operators and understand the unique needs of leased drivers. If you're running under someone else's authority, but still want visibility and tax prep support, ATBS gives you structure without the learning curve. They provide monthly reports, tax preparation, business coaching, and even retirement planning services—all trucking-specific. Standout Features: Customized profit plans Real-time bookkeeping dashboard Quarterly tax estimates and filing Dedicated tax advisor Who it's for: Perfect if you're leased on, focused on staying organized, and want a full-service partner that doesn't require you to babysit the process. 5. SmartHop with Bookkeeping Add-On Best for: Tech-savvy fleets using dispatch automationWhy it works: If you're already dispatching through SmartHop or using their fuel card, their bookkeeping add-on integrates your load data, fuel expenses, and settlement info into clean reports. While it's not as hands-on as a full bookkeeping firm, it's a great fit for tech-forward carriers who want automation and insight. Standout Features: Built-in fuel and load data sync Real-time margin tracking Integrated TMS + financial dashboard Who it's for: Fleets who want to scale using automation tools but still need visibility into their numbers. Red Flags to Watch Out For If you're shopping around, don't get fooled by polished websites or flat rates. Here's what to avoid: Generic firms with no trucking experience If they don't know what IFTA is or how to categorize lumper fees, they're not ready for your business. Delayed reporting If your P&L takes two months to arrive, you're already behind the curve. Monthly reports should land fast and be actionable. No cost-per-mile tracking If they can't show you what each mile is costing you, they're just filling out forms—not helping you run a smarter business. No audit support A good bookkeeping service helps you prepare and defend. Ask upfront how they handle audits and lender documentation. They only care during tax season If they ghost you nine months out of the year, they're not invested in your success. What to Do Next Here's the move—don't wait until Q4 or tax season to clean up your books. If you're serious about running your business like a business, start now. Step 1: Evaluate your current setup Can you see a current P&L? Do you know your cost per mile? Are your business and personal finances separate? If not, you've got gaps. Step 2: Pick a service that fits your operation Don't just go with the cheapest. Go with the one that fits your fleet size, growth goals, and knowledge level. A good bookkeeper should educate you—not keep you in the dark. Step 3: Build a rhythm You should be looking at financials monthly. If you're not, that's the first thing to fix. Set a recurring meeting to go over the books and make strategic decisions. Final Word Bookkeeping is not optional—it's foundational. You can't grow your fleet, bid confidently on lanes, or prepare for lending opportunities if you don't know your numbers inside and out. The right trucking bookkeeping partner gives you more than clean records. They give you clarity. They help you stop guessing. They help you scale. So stop flying blind. Stop waiting for tax season to find out whether you're profitable. Get proactive. Get specific. And partner with someone who actually knows what it takes to keep a trucking business running profitably—not just legally. Because in this industry, good data isn't a luxury—it's your survival plan. FAQS 1. Why do trucking companies need specialized bookkeeping services, as opposed to general accounting? Trucking companies face unique financial challenges and regulatory requirements, such as fluctuating fuel costs, per diem deductions, equipment depreciation, and complex tax compliance like IFTA. Specialized trucking bookkeeping services understand these nuances, ensuring accurate record-keeping, maximizing deductions, and providing insights tailored to the transportation industry that general accounting services might miss. 2. What specific financial tasks can trucking bookkeeping services help me with? Trucking bookkeeping services typically handle a wide range of tasks, including managing accounts receivable and payable, processing payroll for drivers, tracking fuel and maintenance expenses, preparing IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) reports, managing asset depreciation, reconciling bank statements, and generating financial reports like profit & loss statements. They can also assist with tax preparation and ensure compliance with various trucking regulations. 3. How can professional bookkeeping services help me stay compliant with IFTA and other trucking regulations? Professional trucking bookkeeping services are well-versed in IFTA requirements, which involve tracking mileage and fuel purchases across multiple jurisdictions. They use specialized software and processes to accurately calculate and prepare your quarterly IFTA reports, reducing the risk of errors, penalties, and audits. They also stay updated on other industry-specific regulations (like HVUT or DOT compliance) to ensure your business remains in good standing. The post Best Trucking Bookkeeping Services appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio
