The $40 Trillion Question: Can America Escape Its Debt Trap?

Net interest on US debt now exceeds defense spending (13.8¢ vs 12.7¢ per dollar), signaling an accelerating fiscal debt trap.

• Debt trajectory: US national debt hit $40 trillion in 2025, up from under $20T a decade ago, growing over $2T/year; could reach $60-80T by 2036.
• Interest costs exceed defense: Net interest costs now consume 13.8¢ of every federal dollar vs. 12.7¢ for defense, a dynamic panelists call a top national security threat.

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