US national debt surges past $39 trillion just weeks into war in Iran
Source: AP
Updated 7:47 PM EDT, March 18, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) The national debt surpassed a record $39 trillion on Wednesday, a milestone that comes just weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
The unprecedented figure highlights competing administration priorities, from passing a massive tax law and boosting defense spending and immigration enforcement to chipping away at the debt itself the latter of which Donald Trump promised to do as both a candidate and as president.
The Government Accountability Office outlines some of the impact of rising government debt on Americans including higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages and cars, lower wages from businesses having less money available to invest, and more expensive goods and services. Advocates for a balanced budget also warn that the long-term trend of borrowing more and paying more in interest will force Americans to face tougher fiscal tradeoffs ahead.
Michael Peterson, chair and CEO of the nonprofit Peter G. Peterson Foundation, created to raise awareness of Americas long-term fiscal challenges, said in a statement that we must recognize this alarming rate of growth and the significant financial burden we are putting on the next generation.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/us-national-deficit-hits-39-million-6ff73495bae701b5c009d3da5515ca3a
They continue to slash the revenue by removing taxes from the billionaires and keep trying to make up for it by destroying actual initiatives that help people, while spending countless billions on things that kill people.
Chasstev365
(7,672 posts)They've gotten away with this Bull Shit for almost 50 years.
Can the Democratic Party please come up with a clear concise message that politely tells Republicans to fuck off: YOUR PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE!
samplegirl
(13,940 posts)droned on and on about over the price of eggs!
Freddie
(10,100 posts)We know that by now.
NCDem47
(3,439 posts)IronLionZion
(51,162 posts)Vinca
(53,877 posts)Lovie777
(22,848 posts)concerned about the financial responsibility and accountability aspect of the USA?
blue-wave
(4,962 posts)Who'd a thunk it?
Javaman
(65,644 posts)meaning, when do we start defaulting on the interest payments?
Bengus81
(10,133 posts)like a third World Country money. We have almost three more years of the destruction that POS fucker can do to the US.
peppertree
(23,289 posts)OC375
(857 posts)Not what I ordered.
This whole society thing only really works when most folks are on board. Enough havent been included for long enough that the math, and world are changing quickly.
The racket is collapsing as new generations realize its a lie.
mdbl
(8,595 posts)Only problem is, who's going to bale out the Federal Govt? The orange potato in the white house is a complete moron and so are those that voted for him.