US debt tops $40 trillion - $20 trillion since Trump first took office
The US national debt surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, reaching $40.047 trillion, according to Treasury data. This increase of over $20 trillion since Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017 is attributed to rising defense spending, Social Security, Medicare, and growing interest payments. The debt is projected to continue rising due to long-term healthcare and retirement obligations.