U.S. Debt Surpasses $40 Trillion
The U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, reaching $40.05 trillion by August 18, 2026, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, marking a record high and raising concerns over fiscal sustainability.
Consensus
- The U.S. national debt exceeded $40 trillion for the first time.
- The debt reached $40.05 trillion as of August 18, 2026.
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury reported the figure.
- The debt has more than doubled since January 2017.
- The growth is linked to pandemic-related spending, tax cuts, and increased social program costs.
- Interest payments on the debt have risen sharply, exceeding spending on national defense and child programs.
- Experts predict the debt could reach $50 trillion within six years if current trends continue.
Points of divergence
- The debt surpassed $40.05 trillion on August 18, 2026. — ramio
- The debt exceeded $40 trillion in May, due to the Middle East conflict. — vedomosti
- The Congressional Budget Office projected the $40 trillion mark would be reached in 2028, but it was achieved earlier than expected. — fontanka
- The debt reached $30 trillion in 2022 and $39 trillion in March 2026. — kommersant
- The debt exceeds the 2025 U.S. GDP of $30.77 trillion. — ramio
- The debt is growing faster due to the aging population and increased social spending. — fontanka
- The Federal Reserve kept the key interest rate unchanged at 3.5–3.75% in June. — vedomosti
- The U.S. Treasury announced the debt figure on August 19, based on data from August 18. — kommersant
Coverage (4 sources)
- US national debt reaches $40.05 trillion — РИАМО
- US debt exceeds $40 trillion for the first time — Ведомости
- US national debt reaches record level — Фонтанка
- US debt exceeds $40 trillion for the first time — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
- USA
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Finance
- Bloomberg
- Donald Trump
- Reuters
- RBC
- United States
- CBS News
- Congress
- COVID-19