The U.S. national debt exceeds $37 trillion, growing rapidly by over $1.5 trillion recently. The claim about "25% of tax revenue" refers specifically to interest payments on this debt, not the total amount. Currently, annual interest costs are approximately $776 billion. This consumes about 16% of total federal spending and is projected to surpass 25% of federal tax revenue very soon, driven by high debt levels and rising interest rates. Key causes include mandatory spending (Social Security, Medicare), tax policies, and economic stimulus. The debt-to-GDP ratio is over 120%, raising significant concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability.
