The US national debt crossed the $40 trillion threshold on August 18, 2026, reaching $40.047 trillion according to Treasury Department figures, after rising by approximately $60 billion in a single day. Rebecca Patterson, former chief investment strategist at Bridgewater Associates, warned on Bloomberg that the debt-to-GDP ratio could reach 118% or higher within the next decade without substantial fiscal policy reforms. The debt has more than doubled since early 2017, when it stood near $19.95 trillion, and has surged by roughly one-third in less than five years. Patterson emphasizes that interest payments on the national debt have already become one of the largest line items in the federal budget. This warning echoes concerns previously raised by former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Source: Read the original article
