As of mid-2025, the U.S. national debt has surpassed $36 trillion, representing about 120% of the country's GDP. This rapid increase, estimated at $1 trillion every six months, is driven by ongoing budget deficits and rising interest costs. The government is projected to pay around $1 trillion in interest next year, which exceeds expenditures on major programs like Medicare and defense. Recent legislative actions aim to address the debt ceiling, but experts warn that current policies may not prevent further unsustainable increases.