美国国债，每秒增长7万美元

Core Points - The U.S. national debt has surpassed $38 trillion for the first time, highlighting the accelerated accumulation of debt on the U.S. balance sheet [1][3] - As of October 21, the total U.S. national debt reached $38,019,813,354,700.26 [2] - The speed of debt accumulation is the fastest since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a notable increase of $1 trillion in just over two months [3] Debt Accumulation - The U.S. national debt has been growing at a rate of $69,713.82 per second over the past year [4] - Factors contributing to the rapid increase include an aging population, rising Social Security and Medicare enrollment, and significantly higher interest payments due to inflation control measures [4] Economic Implications - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) outlines several impacts of rising debt, including increased borrowing costs for mortgages and cars, reduced corporate investment funds leading to lower wages, and rising prices for goods and services [4] - Michael Peterson, CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, expressed concerns about the implications of the debt reaching $38 trillion during a government shutdown, emphasizing the rising interest costs that could crowd out essential public and private investments [5] Political Perspectives - The Trump administration claimed its policies were helping to reduce government spending and narrow the deficit, with a reported cumulative deficit of $468 billion from April to September, the lowest since 2019 [5][6] - White House spokesperson Kushner stated that the Trump administration reduced the deficit by $350 billion compared to the same period in 2024 through spending cuts and increased revenue [6]