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Deficit

Photo of Scott Bessent with Donald Trump
Economy
How Scott Bessent used financial engineering to finance the $2 trillion deficit while leaving it untouched—and created a $1.45 trillion shortfall
By Eva RoytburgAugust 8, 2026
Portrait of Knut Wicksell (1851-1926) Swedish economist. Dated 20th Century. (Photo by Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Economy
A forgotten Swedish economist’s 130-year-old theory explains why investors won’t quit funding America’s near-$40 trillion pile of debt
By Eleanor PringleAugust 4, 2026
rate
Real Estate
The deficit climbing by $3.4 trillion is keeping your mortgage rate at 6.48% — not the Fed
By Michael J. Highfield and The ConversationJune 5, 2026
President Donald Trump pictured in front of an American flag.
Economy
National debt fears are where Democrats and Republicans are most aligned—more so than on inflation, healthcare, or even the jobs market
By Tristan BoveMay 13, 2026
Elon Musk stares
Economy
‘This is the way’: Elon Musk endorses Warren Buffett’s famed 5-minute plan to fix the national debt
By Jacqueline MunisMay 10, 2026
Trump’s 2027 budget gambles on rosy assumptions—and if they don’t pan out, America edges closer to a fiscal crisis driven by runaway interest costs
Economy
Trump’s 2027 budget gambles on rosy assumptions—and if they don’t pan out, America edges closer to a fiscal crisis driven by runaway interest costs
By Shawn TullyApril 9, 2026
Photo of Elon Musk
Politics
‘No, we didn’t’: DOGE staffer admits Elon Musk’s cost-cutting agency failed to reduce the federal deficit
By Sasha RogelbergMarch 16, 2026
Scott Bessent, speaking into a microphone, raises one hand next to his face.
Economy
CBO highlights the good news in Trump’s lost tariff revenue hiking the deficit by $2 trillion: Lower inflation and unemployment—and higher GDP
By Sasha RogelbergMarch 6, 2026
New CBO report shows national debt spiraling into uncharted territory by 2035—and Trump’s tariff defeat will make the picture even worse
Economy
New CBO report shows national debt spiraling into uncharted territory by 2035—and Trump’s tariff defeat will make the picture even worse
By Shawn TullyFebruary 21, 2026
a container ship is seen docked at the Port of Oakland
North America
Trump’s trade deficit was third highest on record even despite his tariffs upending the global economy, Commerce Dept. says
By Paul Wiseman and The Associated PressFebruary 19, 2026
Photo of Donald Trump
Economy
$56 trillion national debt leading to a spiraling crisis: Budget watchdog warns the U.S. is walking a crumbling path
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 17, 2026
Schumer
Politics
‘This is a bad idea made worse’: Senate Dems’ plan to fix Obamacare premiums adds nearly $300 billion to deficit, CRFB says
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 5, 2025
Jerome Powell
Economy
‘We are guilty of spending our rainy-day fund in sunny weather’: Top economists, historians unite to urge action on $38 trillion national debt
By Nick LichtenbergNovember 13, 2025
Donald Trump
Economy
Trump’s $2,000 tariff ‘dividends’ would cost twice as much as the revenue coming in, budget watchdog warns
By Nick LichtenbergNovember 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Economy
As national debt accelerates to $38 trillion, watchdog warns it’s ‘no way for a great nation like America to run its finances’
By Nick LichtenbergOctober 22, 2025
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