U.S. National Debt Reaches $40 Trillion Mark
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The federal debt reached $40 trillion on August 19, 2026, NPR reported. PBS NewsHour forecast the milestone would be crossed sometime this week.
The government is adding to the national debt at a rapid pace, NPR noted.
Sources
- Financial Times: US government debt hits $40tn as borrowing rises at historic rate
- PBS NewsHour: National debt nears $40 trillion: How we got here and why it matters
- NPR News: The U.S. debt tops a record-shattering $40 trillion. Yes, with a T.
- PBS NewsHour: How did U.S. debt hit $40 trillion? Here's what to know