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National Debt Now EXCEEDS $37 Trillion, Now What? // Jimmy Dore
Jimmy Dore | Trusted Newsmaker
America’s $37 Trillion Debt Bomb: Who’s Really Paying the Price?
The United States has officially crossed a historic milestone: $37 trillion in national debt. That’s not just a scary headline—it’s a bill that every American, rich or poor, is now carrying on their backs. At this level, the debt breaks down to about $108,000 per person. But the bigger question is—what do we have to show for it?
Where the Money Isn’t Going
Franklin D. Roosevelt once ran up deficits but directly put money into Americans’ pockets—stimulating demand, creating jobs, and fueling growth. Today’s debt binge? Not so much. Instead of schools, infrastructure, or healthcare, the money is funneling into the military-industrial complex, Wall Street, and Big Pharma. In short, Americans are left holding the bill, while the usual power players cash in.
Debt Rising Faster Than Predicted
Here’s the kicker: analysts once predicted the U.S. wouldn’t hit the $37 trillion mark until 2030. Instead, we arrived five years early. Why? Massive spending during the pandemic and continued trillion-dollar deficits even in so-called boom times. At the current pace, the U.S. is adding roughly $1 trillion in new debt every five months.
Trump’s Promises vs. Reality
Former President Trump has pitched flashy solutions: tariffs, “Golden Visa” programs, and even a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While tariffs have brought in some cash—tripling revenue from $7 billion to $25 billion—it’s still pocket change compared to the monster debt. For perspective, if the U.S. dedicated every cent of tariff revenue to the debt, it would take 120 years to pay it off.
Meanwhile, defense spending has ballooned. The Pentagon’s budget alone cracked $1 trillion, dwarfing any “savings” the government claims. Cuts to programs like Medicaid are real, but military spending cuts? Nowhere to be found.
The Global Fallout
Credit rating agencies have already downgraded the U.S. over concerns that Washington has no plan to rein in its finances. Investors are watching closely. If confidence slips further, the U.S. could face higher borrowing costs, pushing the debt spiral even faster.
What Could Actually Help
Experts argue that cutting the Pentagon’s budget in half could save $5 trillion over 10 years. That’s real money, enough to stabilize finances and invest back into the nation. But instead of bold reform, the system seems locked on autopilot—funneling cash into billionaires’ pockets while ordinary Americans see little benefit.
The Bigger Picture
The debt crisis is more than numbers—it’s about priorities. Imagine if even a fraction of that $1 trillion every five months went into affordable housing, high-speed rail, healthcare, or education. Instead, Americans are told to tighten their belts while the elite class profits.
The U.S. may brag about record defense budgets, but that “victory” is nothing like a win for working families. Without course correction, the next generation will inherit a system weighed down by reckless spending and empty promises.
$37 trillion isn’t just an economic milestone—it’s a flashing red warning sign. Unless policymakers stop pretending tariffs and slogans will solve the problem, America risks trading prosperity for permanent debt servitude. The question is simple: will leaders cut the waste and invest in the people, or keep feeding the machine until it collapses?
