US Debt Tops $40 Trillion as Iran War Nears Month Six

On August 19, 2026, US national debt — the total the federal government owes — crossed $40 trillion for the first time. The milestone lands nearly six months into Trump's war with Iran, which also saw him rename the Defense Department the Department of War. Senator Ossoff accused Trump of sleeping through meetings and golfing, fueling Democrats' case that the president is disengaged.