CAUSE
One question. One truth.
“Why is the US national debt so high?”
The primary driver of the U.S. national debt is persistent federal budget deficits, where government spending consistently exceeds tax revenue. Annual deficits surpassed $1.8 trillion, and are projected to reach $3.1 trillion by 2036, compounded by rising net interest costs.
High confidenceStructural
CURRENT STATE
The U.S. government currently spends more than it collects, with $2.48 trillion spent versus $1.78 trillion collected in fiscal year 2026 to date. Interest payments have surged past $1 trillion annually, consuming a growing share of the federal budget.
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