# Democrats blame Republicans as US national debt hits $40tn

Democrats expressed outrage as the US national debt reached $40 trillion, accusing Republicans of driving up the tab through tax cuts and spending. The milestone highlights deep partisan divisions over fiscal policy and is likely to fuel debate ahead of the next election.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/aug/20/donald-trump-national-debt-borrowing-record-michael-cohen-canada-iran-latest-news-updates) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:51:58 GMT