RARE PHOTOS: 8 | Rare Historical Photos

Tariffs and the $38 trillion national debt: Kevin Hassett sees ‘big reductions’ in deficit while Scott Bessent sees a ‘shrinking ice cube’

The favorite to become Fed chair says tariffs are an important part of Trump’s economic policy and behind “a lot of the revenue coming into the Treasury.”

Fortune · Dec 4, 2025

Donald Trump says national debt is ‘peanuts’ compared with tariff income, which will pay dividends—but the math isn’t adding up

A $2,000 dividend for each citizen would increase the deficit by $6 trillion, according to one estimate, roughly twice as much as Trump’s tariffs are estimated to raise.

Fortune · Dec 3, 2025

The trade war was never going to fix our deficit

Trump's tariffs won't alter the trajectory of our national debt or entitlements. For the economy's sake, the Supreme Court should end this abuse of power.

Fortune · Dec 2, 2025

The $38 trillion national debt 'milestone' and the accounting mirage

I ran for Congress on the idea that the national books of the U.S. government were not being kept in a transparent, modern accounting framework. I won.

Fortune · Nov 18, 2025

Elon Musk Warns ‘The Only Way to Get Us Out of the Debt Crisis’ and ‘Prevent America from Going Bankrupt is AI and Robotics’

Elon Musk argues that America’s mounting national debt is unsustainable under current political constraints and asserts that only rapid economic growth driven by AI and robotics can avert fiscal crisis.

Barchart · Nov 17, 2025

America's path out of $38 trillion national debt crisis likely involves pushing up inflation and 'eroding Fed independence,' says JPMorgan Private Bank

The government could "tolerate stronger growth and higher inflation, allowing real interest rates to fall and the debt burden to shrink over time," JPMB says.

Fortune · Nov 17, 2025

US Debt Of $38 Trillion Now A 'National Security Crisis,' Warns Top Economist, Another Blames Political Polarization: 'Neither Party Is…'

Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, and other economists have sounded the alarm about the U.S. national debt, stating that it poses a significant threat to the country’s security and global standing.

Benzinga · Nov 14, 2025

Legendary DC diplomat feels 'like Paul Revere' about the $38 trillion national debt: 'The crisis is coming!'

Richard Haass has spent a lifetime monitoring global crises. Now he says America’s most dangerous one is coming from inside the house.

Fortune · Nov 13, 2025

Your political polarization is the reason for our $38 trillion national debt, top economist says: 'it's deeply debilitating' for 'consensus and stability and productive policy results'

“Every day that passes makes me feel the situation is more urgent,” Barry Eichengreen told Fortune.

Fortune · Nov 13, 2025

'We are guilty of spending our rainy-day fund in sunny weather': Top economists unite to urge action on $38 trillion national debt

"The day will come when the boiling water finally kills the frog," an essay published by the Peter G. Petersen Foundation said.

Fortune · Nov 13, 2025