What the US Owes Is About to Hit $40 Trillion

The total amount the US government owes is nearing $40 trillion — more than any country has ever borrowed, according to Treasury data. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget confirmed the milestone August 12. Yahoo Finance and PBS reported it August 13 and 17. In December 2025, the debt was $38.40 trillion, growing about $6.12 billion a day.