The U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion on August 19, 2026, according to data released by the Treasury Department. This figure represents a significant increase, as the national debt has doubled in less than a decade, having first exceeded $20 trillion in late 2017 and reached $39 trillion shortly before this milestone.
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U.S. National Debt Exceeds $40 Trillion
The U.S. national debt has exceeded $40 trillion as of August 19, 2026, according to the Treasury Department. This marks a significant increase, with the debt doubling since it first surpassed $20 trillion in 2017.
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National debt crosses $40 trillion
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U.S. National Debt Exceeds $40 Trillion