The key facts

  • On August 19, 2026, the US national debt reached $40 trillion for the first time; in two months it grew by nearly 1% — to $40.4 trillion.
  • Washington spends about $970 billion a year on debt interest — more than on defense; since 2020 these costs have tripled.
  • Forecasts suggest the debt could reach ~120% of GDP in the next decade, and according to the Peterson Institute — $50 trillion within six years without reforms.

Debt keeps growing after the record

As reported by TASS citing data from the US Department of the Treasury, in the two months after the country's sovereign debt reached the record mark of $40 trillion, it increased by nearly $400 billion. On August 19, 2026, the US national debt reached $40 trillion for the first time, and since then it has grown by almost 1% — to $40.4 trillion.

Interest payments exceeded military spending

Washington spends nearly $970 billion a year on paying interest on the national debt. It is noted that these expenses exceed even the country's military spending. Since 2020, the cost of servicing the debt has tripled.

Forecasts for the future

According to forecasts by American experts, in the next decade the national debt could reach almost 120% of GDP, that is, exceed the annual output of the country's economy. According to calculations by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, if reforms of government spending or the tax system are not carried out, US debt could reach $50 trillion within six years.