🇺🇸 What Is the U.S. National Debt?
It's the total amount the federal government owes its creditors — and it grows when spending outpaces revenue.
🧮 The debt is split into two major parts:
1. Public Debt (~$27T):
Money borrowed from investors, institutions, and foreign governments (like China and Japan).
2. Intragovernmental Holdings (~$7T):
Money the government owes to itself — primarily to trust funds like Social Security and Medicare.
⚠️ Why It Matters:
Can lead to higher interest rates
Limits the government’s ability to invest in other priorities
Increases economic risk during downturns
May weaken the dollar and global confidence in the U.S. economy