"A little over 200 days later, the U.S. national debt stands at more than $39 trillion. According to Treasury data, updated retrospectively for May 18, the debt landed at $39,008,999,901,378.68. More than $1 trillion has been added since October 23, 2025- about $5 billion per day. The debt surpassed $39 trillion in mid-March and actually fell below it for several weeks before cresting to this point again."
"Concern about the level of national debt is growing, particularly in relation to GDP, known as the debt-to-GDP ratio. This represents a nation's borrowing versus the growth of its economy, and therefore the risk levels attached to servicing and repaying the debt. The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio sits at approximately 123%, meaning its borrowing is bigger than the size of its entire economy."
"There have been calls to better align borrowing with this metric: namely, the yearly government deficit should be targeted at 3% of GDP, rather than its current level of more than 6%. This has garnered bipartisan support, but would require a mammoth effort: The mere 3% cut would require approximately $10 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade to reach the target by 2036."
"Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has long warned of an economic "heart attack," whereby service payments on debt would one day choke out public-sector investments. Already, interest payments are equivalent to government spending on education and the military combined. Likewise, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the bond market will ultimately prove to be the factor that provokes some action from DC when investors begin to demand higher premiums to continue buying debt."
The U.S. national debt has increased from $38 trillion to more than $39 trillion within a little over 200 days, adding over $1 trillion since October 23. The debt-to-GDP ratio is about 123%, indicating borrowing larger than the size of the entire economy and raising risks tied to servicing and repaying debt. Calls have grown to align deficits with a 3% of GDP target rather than the current level above 6%. Achieving the target by 2036 would require roughly $10 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade. Concerns also focus on rising interest payments, which are already comparable to combined education and military spending, and warnings that bond market demands could force policy action.
Read at Fortune
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