US National Debt--AI

AI Overview The total U.S. Treasury debt outstanding was approximately $37.21 trillion as of August 22, 2025, according to the U.S. Treasury. This "national debt" represents the total money borrowed by the U.S. government throughout its history to cover deficits, where spending exceeds revenues. The debt consists of funds held by the public and intragovernmental holdings, and it grows each year as annual deficits add to the outstanding balance. What is the National Debt? It is the total amount of money the U.S. federal government owes to individuals, corporations, other governments, and its own accounts. The debt accumulates each year when the government spends more money than it takes in through taxes and other revenues. How is the debt broken down? Debt Held by the Public: . This is the portion of the national debt held by entities outside the U.S. government, such as investors and foreign governments. Intragovernmental Holdings: . This is debt held by government accounts, such as trust funds like the Social Security trust fund. Why is the debt important?

The increasing national debt can lead to higher interest payments, which can take up a larger portion of the federal budget.

It is a result of structural factors like an aging population, rising healthcare costs, higher interest rates, and a tax system that generates insufficient revenue to cover promised government services.

Where to find the most up-to-date information:

For daily updates, visit the U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data website, which provides access to the "Debt to the Penny" dataset.