The Elephant in the Room: How America's Record Debt Affects Us All The US has surpassed $40 trillion in national debt, a milestone that should come as no surprise given Washington's spending habits over the past few decades.
Warning signs have been evident for some time, but it takes significant milestones like this to force policymakers and the public to confront the elephant in the room.
One of the most striking aspects of America's record debt is its rapid growth. Since President Trump took office, debt has increased by $11. 6 trillion – more than double the amount added during his first term.