National debt surpasses $38 trillion milestone for first time in US history as spending surges

Core Insights - The U.S. national debt has surpassed $38 trillion for the first time, reaching $38,019,813,354,700.26 as of October 21, indicating a rapid accumulation of debt [1] - This milestone follows the national debt reaching $37 trillion in mid-August and $36 trillion in December of the previous year, highlighting a concerning trend of increasing debt levels [2] Debt Growth Drivers - The rapid growth of America's debt over the last decade is attributed to an aging population, rising enrollment in Social Security and Medicare, and increasing interest expenses due to higher interest rates aimed at curbing inflation [3] - Interest costs related to servicing the national debt have significantly increased, costing the U.S. approximately $4 trillion over the last decade and projected to reach $14 trillion in the next ten years [7] Future Projections - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the national debt held by the public will rise from about 100% of GDP in 2025 to 120% of GDP by 2035, indicating a concerning trajectory for fiscal sustainability [8] - Annual budget deficits are expected to increase to approximately $2.6 trillion by 2035, contributing an estimated $22.7 trillion to the national debt over the next decade [9] - Federal spending is projected to total $88 trillion over the next decade, which is 23.6% of GDP, while tax revenue is expected to be over $65 trillion, or 17.5% of GDP, indicating a significant gap between spending and revenue [10][11]