DID Press: United States’ national debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, reaching an unprecedented level and intensifying concerns over the country’s fiscal position and the growing cost of servicing government debt.
The U.S. national debt has more than doubled from approximately $19.95 trillion in January 2017. According to the figures cited in the report, roughly $11.6 trillion has been added during Donald Trump’s two presidencies, including about $3.8 trillion since the beginning of his second term in January 2025.
About one-third of the increase occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic years. During Joe Biden’s presidency, U.S. debt also increased by approximately $8.4 trillion, with part of the rise attributed to economic recovery measures and infrastructure investment.
The current debt amounts to roughly $117,000 per U.S. resident and nearly $297,000 per household, underscoring the scale of the fiscal challenge facing the world’s largest economy.
Debt-servicing costs have also become one of the largest items in the federal budget, surpassing spending on Medicare and the U.S. Defense Department, according to the report.
Despite Trump’s emphasis on reducing government spending and efforts by his administration to improve government efficiency, mandatory programs such as Social Security and Medicare continue to account for a substantial share of federal expenditures.
Meanwhile, the U.S. budget deficit is also expanding. During the first 10 months of fiscal year 2026, the deficit reportedly exceeded the total recorded throughout the entire 2025 fiscal year.
The crossing of the $40 trillion threshold is expected to intensify debate in Washington over fiscal sustainability, government spending and the long-term direction of U.S. economic policy.