How Big Is the US National Debt?

How much does the United States actually owe — and why does the national debt matter? In this episode of Just the Facts, Steve Ballmer breaks down the data behind America’s national debt using official U.S. government sources. The U.S. national debt now exceeds $38 trillion, the highest level in history. But that number alone doesn’t explain what the debt is, how it grew, or what it means for the economy. This video explains how annual budget deficits add up over time, why the federal government borrows money, and how interest payments have become one of the largest federal expenses. You’ll also learn the difference between debt held by the public and intragovernmental debt, who owns U.S. debt today, and how much of it is held by Americans versus foreign investors. Learn more: https://usafacts.org/answers/how-much... https://usafacts.org/articles/which-c...