Opinion

America has a very expensive promises problem — and the bill is coming due

Unless America changes expectations or sacrifices are made on both sides of the aisle, the debt clock keeps running

By Ted Jenkin Fox News

Published February 24, 2026 5:00am EST

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Every four years, Americans fall in love with a fantasy. A new president will change the federal deficit.

Republicans promise growth will outrun the debt.

Democrats promise taxes on the rich will fix it.

And the U.S. Debt Clock keeps spinning like a Vegas slot machine that only pays out in red ink.

As of 2026, the United States owes roughly $38.5 trillion and it’s climbing about $8 billion per day. The net interest payments on the debt officially exceed our annual defense budget.

We’re not arguing politics anymore. We’re arguing arithmetic.

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