💰 Nearly one‑third of $36 trillion U.S. national debt due for refinancing within a year
Treasury reports that about 31.4% (roughly $11 trillion) of the current $36 trillion national debt needs to be refinanced by April 30, 2026. This comes as interest costs surged by 34% in fiscal year 2024—hitting nearly $949 billion, now surpassing both the Department of Defense and Medicare budgets .
📈 Experts sound alarm on fiscal trajectory
Ray Dalio warns the U.S. is risking an “economic heart attack” if rising interest burden erodes fiscal flexibility .
Ken Rogoff projects a possible debt crisis in 4–5 years, accelerating due to recent GOP tax and spending bills adding trillions to the deficit .
Niall Ferguson highlights that interest costs ($1.1 trillion in 2024) now exceed defense spending — a tipping point historically tied to power decline .
🧾 Debt numbers snapshot
Total national debt: $36.218 trillion (~$106,000 per person) .
Annual debt interest: approximately $1 trillion, double from 5 years ago, projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035 under current policy .
