#USNationalDebt The U.S. national debt is the total amount of money the federal government owes to creditors, both domestic and international. It keeps rising due to government spending exceeding tax revenue. Debt grows through borrowing via Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. Some of it’s owed to other countries like China and Japan, and some to U.S. citizens and institutions. It’s over $34 trillion now—crazy, right? Politicians argue about it, but few actually cut spending. High debt can affect interest rates, inflation, and the dollar’s value. Still, the U.S. keeps paying its bills, backed by trust in its economy… for now.