General · 19 August 2026

America's national debt surpasses $40 trillion for the first time

America's national debt reached over $40 trillion on Wednesday, doubling in less than a decade due to rising interest costs and federal spending. The Treasury Department confirmed the milestone, which comes after the debt crossed $39 trillion in March and $38 trillion in October 2025. Rapid growth is also driven by increased spending on Social Security and Medicare, alongside higher interest rates.

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