36万亿到37万亿花了8个多月，37万亿到38万亿只用2个多月，美媒：美国累积债务速度创纪录

Core Insights - The U.S. national debt has surged from $36 trillion to $38 trillion in just over two months, marking an unprecedented rate of debt growth [3][5] - The primary expenditures driving this debt increase are Social Security, Medicare, and defense spending, with defense budget for fiscal year 2024 exceeding $880 billion [5] - Interest payments on the debt have surpassed $1 trillion annually, exceeding military spending, indicating a significant financial burden [5][8] Debt Dynamics - The Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes since 2022 have increased borrowing costs, leading to a cycle of escalating debt [6][10] - Despite a reduction in holdings by major foreign creditors like Japan and China, domestic institutions such as Social Security Trust Funds and pension funds are actively purchasing U.S. debt [8] - Interest payments are projected to account for nearly 16% of federal spending, the highest in 20 years, suggesting a growing financial strain [8] Economic Implications - The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio is approaching 123%, raising concerns about long-term sustainability, especially as the global appetite for U.S. debt may wane [10][12] - The reliance on debt to maintain economic confidence creates a precarious situation where any shift in sentiment could destabilize the financial system [12][14] - The perception of the U.S. dollar's reliability is crucial, as a loss of confidence could lead to significant economic repercussions [14][15]