The $40 trillion national debt may already be costing you NPR | By Megan Lim, Juana Summers, Janaya Williams Published August 20, 2026 at 12:01 PM AKDT Facebook Email Listen • 7:02 The $40 trillion national debt isn't just a number in Washington. It can make borrowing more expensive for everyday Americans, and every realistic plan to bring it down involves tradeoffs. Copyright 2026 NPR