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# Egad, $40 Trillion! Really?
- URL: https://nuff-sed.com/egad-40-trillion-really/
- Published: 2026-08-21T22:34:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-21T22:34:17.000Z
- Author: Thomas Raleigh

This week, the national debt crossed the $40T mark. When Obama left office, the national debt was $19T. In 2016, Donal Trump publicly announced that he would “eliminate the national debt over a period of 8 years”. He's made the same claim dozens of times.

But wait.

In Trump’ 1st term (2017–2021), the national debt increased by nearly $7.8T. In the first 18 months of his 2nd term to date, Trump has added another $3.8T to the national debt. In effect, Trump has contributed $11.6T, or almost 29% of the $40T total, yet only accounts for 4.5% of all U.S. presidents to ever hold office.

So much for eliminating the national debt in 8 years.

Economic experts predict that gross national debt can possibly exceed $45T by the time Trump leaves office.

What’s worse, you ask? 

We are currently paying $1.17T in loan interest to service the national debt and keep the country afloat. As the debt balloons, lenders will continue to increase their interest rate terms. In turn, American consumers will be forced to experience higher interest rate financing for home mortgages, auto loans, and business development. It’s a vicious circle. Now the government must compete with everyone else to borrow money. Not good!!!

NUFF SED!!!