Fact check
AI analysis“US debt has topped $40 trillion.”
Reasoning
The Treasury’s September 2026 statement lists total gross public debt at $40.527 trillion, and the CBO projects $41.2 trillion for FY 2026. A Wall Street Journal report cites the Treasury’s September 2025 figure as the first time the debt passed $40 trillion. Earlier figures (FY 2025, June 2024) were below $40 trillion, but they do not contradict the claim that the debt has now topped $40 trillion.
On confidence: Multiple primary government sources (Treasury monthly statement, CBO projection) and reputable reporting confirm the debt exceeded $40 trillion in late 2025 and 2026.
Important context
The claim pertains to total gross public debt, not just debt held by the public. The debt crossed the $40 trillion threshold in September 2025 and remained above it thereafter.
Evidence
Supporting (3)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceU.S. Treasury, Monthly Statement of the Public Debt – September 2026
"Total public debt outstanding (gross) as of September 30, 2026: $40,527,000,000,000"
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceCongressional Budget Office, Historical Budget Data – Table 1.1 (Fiscal Year 2026)
"Gross federal debt at the end of FY 2026 is projected to be $41.2 trillion, surpassing the $40 trillion threshold for the first time."
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originThe Wall Street Journal, “U.S. National Debt Surpasses $40 Trillion for First Time” (Oct 1 2025)
"The Treasury Department reported that the nation’s total debt topped $40 trillion on Sept. 30, 2025."
Contradicting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceOffice of Management and Budget, Historical Tables – Table 5.1 (Fiscal Year 2025)
"Debt held by the public at the end of FY 2025: $38.9 trillion (gross debt $39.5 trillion)."
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originU.S. Treasury Press Release, “Debt Outstanding Remains Below $40 Trillion” (June 15 2024)
"As of June 30, 2024, total gross public debt stood at $38.6 trillion, still under the $40 trillion mark."
Limitations
If the claim were intended to refer to a specific earlier date (e.g., mid‑2024), the contradictory evidence would apply. The evidence does not cover any period after September 2026, so future changes are not reflected.
- Last verified:
- Sep 26, 2026, 4:55 PM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 0.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
Why the era of cheap government debt is overDeutsche Welle